MCA: Deputy Health Minister should have known better

PETALING JAYA: The Deputy Health Minister should have known better than to have a meal in a large group during an event, says MCA vice president Datuk Tan Teik Cheng (pic).

He said Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali, who was seen having a meal with a group of tahfiz students in Lenggong, Perak while the movement control order (MCO) is in force, was a bad role model as he is part of the Health Ministry.

"Noor Azmi should know better about the basics of MCO on social distancing and the ban on gatherings.

"Furthermore, it was his ministry that formulated and decided on the dos and don'ts during the MCO," he said.

Tan added that Noor Azmi should not only be aware of the rules but should adhere to it more stringently than others. "Unfortunately, he has shown to be an example of a bad role model," said Tan.

He also pointed out the disparity in dispensing justice between the deputy minister and the common man, giving the example of two senior citizens in Tampin who were fined RM1,000 each while waiting together for free food to be distributed.

"The law must be strict and not take sides. This is to uphold the credibility and the uprightness of the government," said Tan.

He also said that MCA sympathised with the two senior citizens and hoped that authorities would do more thorough checks before taking action on such people.

Noor Azmi and Perak state exco Razman Zakaria were seen in viral pictures enjoying a meal with about 30 others, including students, at a tahfiz in Lengoong.

The photos, which were first posted on Noor Azmi's Facebook account, were later deleted after many started questioning why they were violating the MCO.