Khairuddin under probe for breaking quarantine

KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman is investigating Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali (pic) for flouting the mandatory home quarantine rule.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador confirmed that an investigation paper had been opened.

Federal Criminal Investigation Department deputy director Deputy Comm Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said police had so far received 27 reports on the issue.

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

Meanwhile, Umno supreme council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said Khairuddin should be charged in court with skipping his Covid-19 home quarantine.

He called out the Health Ministry for what he termed as double standards in the issue involving the PAS central working committee member and Kuala Nerus MP.

“He is a minister, highly educated, holds a post in the party and is an Islamist. Why was he willing to go against the rules?

“He was willing to return four months of his minister’s salary. It’s not a small amount.

“It’s proof that he himself admitted that his mistake was grave and embarrassing, ” Puad said in a Facebook post on Saturday.

Puad said the RM1,000 compound issued against Khairuddin was “too low and very unfair”.

“Why destroy the Health Ministry brand, one that is already great?” he asked, adding that this could lead to the Perikatan Nasional government being accused of political interference.

“That’s why the Health Ministry shouldn’t cover up the issue. Khairuddin should be charged in court, ” he said.

An online petition to get Khairuddin to quit as a minister has so far garnered nearly 30,000 signatures.