PETALING JAYA: Members of Parliament (MPs) and state assemblymen are allowed to go down to their respective constituencies to extend assistance during the movement control order (MCO) but with conditions, says Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pic).
The Defence Minister said that elected representatives can meet "people they represent' but not by flouting the MCO rules.
"Wakil rakyat (people's representatives) are allowed to meet those whom they represent in their areas.
"They are among those who are allowed to continue their duties in their constituencies and state assemblies during the MCO,
“There are standard operating procedures (SOPs) for wakil rakyat. They cannot have big gatherings, big show of extending assistance to the people. There must also not be big convoys.
“We ask that they make use of frontliners such as Rela (Volunteer Corps) and the Civil Defence Force in their areas.
“Everyone must follow the MCO rules.
As for “the issues of VIPs in media – no one will escape the law if they violate the MCO.
“In cases of those holding positions in the government (having flouted MCO), the police are investigating.
“It is not right to say that there is discrimination by the police against (certain) violators," said Ismail in his daily media briefing from Putrajaya on non-health matters during MCO on Sunday (April 19).
He was asked to comment on various cases of those holding positions in the Perikatan Nasional government allegedly violating the MCO.
The latest case was that of Deputy Health Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azmi and Perak state executive councillor Razman Zakaria, who were seen in viral pictures enjoying a meal with about 30 others, including students, at a tahfiz in Lenggong.
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.
Before this, others questioned why Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar went to visit his predecessor Datuk Seri Ahmad Said at his house.
Another instance was Deputy Rural Development Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Mohamad, who was pictured in a Facebook post enjoying lunch with a group of Umno members during the MCO period.
The Defence Minister said that elected representatives can meet "people they represent' but not by flouting the MCO rules.
"Wakil rakyat (people's representatives) are allowed to meet those whom they represent in their areas.
"They are among those who are allowed to continue their duties in their constituencies and state assemblies during the MCO,
“There are standard operating procedures (SOPs) for wakil rakyat. They cannot have big gatherings, big show of extending assistance to the people. There must also not be big convoys.
“We ask that they make use of frontliners such as Rela (Volunteer Corps) and the Civil Defence Force in their areas.
“Everyone must follow the MCO rules.
As for “the issues of VIPs in media – no one will escape the law if they violate the MCO.
“In cases of those holding positions in the government (having flouted MCO), the police are investigating.
“It is not right to say that there is discrimination by the police against (certain) violators," said Ismail in his daily media briefing from Putrajaya on non-health matters during MCO on Sunday (April 19).
He was asked to comment on various cases of those holding positions in the Perikatan Nasional government allegedly violating the MCO.
The latest case was that of Deputy Health Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azmi and Perak state executive councillor Razman Zakaria, who were seen in viral pictures enjoying a meal with about 30 others, including students, at a tahfiz in Lenggong.
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.
Before this, others questioned why Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar went to visit his predecessor Datuk Seri Ahmad Said at his house.
Another instance was Deputy Rural Development Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Mohamad, who was pictured in a Facebook post enjoying lunch with a group of Umno members during the MCO period.
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