After over 100 days pending, we finally got an update regarding Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali’s case of breaking mandatory quarantine. Following a ‘ping-pong match’ where the investigation papers went back and forth between the police and the Attorney-General’s Chambers, a decision was finally being made:

No further action.

Speaking in a press statement today, Bukit Aman CID chief Huzir Mohamed said that the case was classified under No Further Action because Khairuddin had not been issued the 14B form to undergo quarantine upon returning to the country.

Kes Menteri Datuk Dr Khairuddin Aman Razali langgar perintah kuarantin

Polis sahkan terima arahan dari Pejabat Peguam Negara “ No Futher Action” NFA .

Kenyataan Penjarah JSJ Bukit Aman pic.twitter.com/tGIdkgXF25

— Mohd Redzuan Abdul Manap (@redzuanNewsMPB) October 21, 2020

The form is prescribed under Section 15(1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) whereby if a form wasn’t issued, there would be no clear evidence that gave the basis for a charge under the Act.

However, this decision causes more confusion as Khairuddin was compounded RM1,000 by the Ministry of Health for breaking quarantine back in August 7. Why was he compounded for breaking quarantine if he wasn’t issued the 14B form?

Member of Parliament for Seputeh, Teresa Kok lambasted this decision which is a clear sign of double standards from the PN government. Furthermore, this decision incited public anger as there have been multiple well-documented instances where ordinary citizens were meted heavier fines and even jail terms for similar offences. She stressed,

“Now we’re told that the Health Ministry didn’t give (Khairuddin) the quarantine form. How come this wasn’t told to us when the issue was first brought up?”

The former Minister of Primary Industries has also called upon the Health Minister, Dr Adham Baba to explain why his fellow Cabinet member was given special treatment and was not issued with the form after returning from Turkey.

“This decision clearly shows the double standards. When we came back from Sabah, we had to go through a lot of processes, spending a few hours at the airport, and had to be quarantined. Everyone coming back from overseas had also undergone Covid-19 tests.

“Is this the fault of the Health Ministry? It’s a very straightforward thing. The ball is in the Health Ministry’s court,”

Every Malaysian who just returned from overseas between June 10 to July 23 were subject to a 14-day mandatory quarantine period at home under the Home Surveillance Order. Khairuddin violated the order and even attended a Dewan Rakyat meeting and various other events shortly after returning from Turkey on July 7.