THERE is a risk of the plantation minister infecting thousands with Covid-19 by not quarantining himself upon returning from Turkey, said Teresa Kok.

The Seputeh MP, in a statement today, said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali attended Dewan Rakyat proceedings and more than 10 events since he came back to the country on July 7.

“If he had contracted Covid-19 in Turkey, he could infect thousands of people in Malaysia, leading to the Khairuddin cluster.”

It was reported that the minister skipped quarantine after testing negative for the coronavirus upon his arrival back home. He attended Parliament less than a week later, on July 13.

Kok, who was primary industries minister in the Pakatan Harapan administration, listed several events attended by Khairuddin that he posted about on Facebook, including a meeting with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri.

He also took part in a cycling convoy in his Kuala Nerus constituency, among other programmes in Terengganu.

The authorities must take action against Khairuddin and his family for flouting quarantine, said Kok.

“The government should show that they are not biased when it comes to enforcement regarding Covid-19 cases.”

All travellers are required to get tested upon their arrival in the country and undergo two weeks of quarantine even if they return negative results.

Breaching these rules is punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment, or a fine, or both.

Khairuddin’s flouting of the standard operating procedure became a hot topic after citizens were punished – two of whom were jailed – for doing the same.

A report was lodged against the PAS man at the Kelana Jaya police station today by Kg Tunku DAP member Mohd Aslam Ahmad Ramli, who was accompanied by Kg Tunku assemblyman Lim Yi Wei.

In his report, Aslam questioned why Khairuddin has escaped action, adding that he himself strictly followed quarantine rules, resulting in him missing his father’s funeral. – August 20, 2020.