KUALA LUMPUR: Although Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali was recently issued a RM1,000 compound by the Health Ministry, he is now being investigated by the police over his alleged violation of a 14-day mandatory home quarantine order.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department deputy director (Investigation/Legal) DCP Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said to date there are a total of 27 police reports lodged over the minister's alleged breach of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
"Police have opened an investigation paper into the claims and reports," he told the New Straits Times today.
He said the case is being investigated under Section 22 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act (Act 342).
"Police will continue to assist the Health Ministry and carry out its duties in accordance with the perimetres of the law and Ministry of Health's directive while the country is still under the (recovery) movement control order," he said.
Khairuddin, who is also Pas' Kuala Nerus Member of Parliament was alleged to have violated his compulsory isolation period after his return from Turkey on July 7 when he attended Dewan Rakyat proceedings.
Based on the postings on his official Facebook page, Khairuddin could also be seen attending various events in the 14-day period from July 7.
Following public outrage over the claims, the minister said that upon his return to the country, he had been tested three times for Covid-19 with all the results proving negative.
He had maintained that the fact that he was allowed into Istana Negara for an event at the palace on Aug 17 proved that his tests were negative for Covid-19.
However, critics have pointed out that the test results were not the issue and that he had failed to observe the National Security Council's SOP, which required a mandatory quarantine period for everyone returning or arriving in Malaysia from abroad.
Under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, a breach of the order could see offenders jailed up to two years, or issued a fine, or both.
After remaining largely defiant, Khairuddin on Saturday eventually issued an apology to Malaysians for his actions after the Health Ministry announced that they had issued him with a compound on Aug 7, which he has paid. He said he would return his salaries as a minister from May to August, and contribute the amount to the National Disaster Relief Fund (Covid-19 Fund).
He said he has also donated the salaries received for March and April this year to the same fund.