Sin Chew Daily

After much hoohah over the past three months, the AG's Chambers has decided not to prosecute plantation industries and commodities minister Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali for failing to comply with his quarantine order upon returning from an oversea trip, citing lack of substantial evidence.

The decision has once again infuriated the Malaysian public who feel that the authorities are practicing double standards in enforcing anti-coronavirus SOPs.

Members of the public are not the only ones to feel very angry, politicians on both sides of the divide as well as NGOs are equally unhappy.

The AG will prosecute any individual based on the evidences provided by the police. In this particular case, health ministry officials responsible for the examination of Khairuddin were found to have not issued a home surveillance order (Form 14b) on the minister as stipulated under subsection 15(1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342). As such, the AG deduce that there is insufficient evidence to charge the minister.

We can see from here that it is the negligence on the part of the health ministry officials that has given rise to the "insufficient evidence", but prior to this, the health ministry already issued a RM1,000 compound to Khairuddin, the maximum fine under the Act. Similarly, it was the responsibility of the police to provide the evidence, not the health ministry.

Unlike other cases, at a time when the coronavirus outbreak in the country is surging, SOP compliance must be the most fundamental requirement in fending off the virus. The government has repeatedly reminded the people to strictly adhere to the SOPs in a bid to flatten the curve.

Unfortunately as a member of the government's cabinet, Khairuddin has failed to set a good example for the public. Public reactions and feedback must be taken into consideration in this particular case.

Malaysians are doubtful of two things. Firstly it has taken way too long to investigate and decide whether to charge the minister. The investigation report has been tossed between the police and the AGC several times. Many people have grown out of patience because any ordinary citizen making the same offenses will have been instantly charged and fined.

Secondly, even though the government has warned of stern actions against SOP violators, it has been extremely lenient when it comes to dealing with an erring minister. The government has failed to show to all Malaysians that everyone will be treated equally under the law. It is time for PM Muhyiddin to put his words into action, and the AG's decision will only deepen public frustration that the government is practicing double standards in law enforcement.

As a matter of fact, Khairuddin himself has the biggest responsibility to bear. Unfortunately PAS has been quick in politicizing the non-prosecution of Khairuddin in total disrespect for the fact that a cabinet minster must be equipped with the most fundamental morality and political conscience.

PAS and Khairuddin have argued that this case should be put to a rest since the minister has settled his fine and has donated four months of his ministerial salary to the COVID-19 fund as compensation.

As a minister, Khairuddin should lead by example and should take his own initiative to quarantine himself for 14 days even without a quarantine order from the health ministry. He has not only flouted the SOPs but has even put the blame on rival parties for bringing up this issue.

The ball is now under Muhyiddin's feet to mitigate public wrath. Khairuddin's case must serve as an important lesson for all politicians that nothing they do can escape public scrutiny.