M’sia: Minister investigated for flouting mandatory 14-day home quarantine after returning from Turkey

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador has confirmed on Sunday (23 Aug) that Bukit Aman has opened an investigation paper on Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali for violating mandatory home quarantine after returning from Turkey on 7 July. 

“Police have opened an investigation paper on this case,” he told Bernama TV in a brief reply via WhatsApp application. 

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department deputy director (Investigation/Legal) DCP Mior Faridalathrash Wahid also said that thus far police have received 27 reports pertaining to the issue.

“Police are investigating Mohd Khairuddin in accordance with the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342),” he said.

The Health Ministry (MOH), in a statement yesterday, said that it had issued a compound (fine) of RM1,000 (S$330) to Mohd Khairuddin on 7 August for breaching the regulations. 

Mohd Khairuddin has since settled the fine. 

Mohd Khairuddin reportedly returned from Turkey on 7 July and the first nasopharyngeal swab sample was taken on the same day and was found to be negative. 

The second and third COVID-19 screening tests also showed negative results.

The issue came to light when Seputeh Member of Parliament Teresa Kok recently claimed that the minister did not undergo the 14 days quarantine after returning from Turkey.

Following these allegations, Mohd Khairuddin, who is also a Parti Islam SeMalaysia central committee member, was heavily chastised by many parties for failing to comply with the regulations set by the authorities, espaecially violating the mandatory quarantine after from overseas. 

To appease the public, Mohd Khairuddin issued a statement on Saturday (22 Aug) that he will return his salary as minister from May to August and contribute that amount to the COVID-19 Fund under the MOH.