KUALA LUMPUR, 21 Oct 2020:
The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) has decided to not charge Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali over quarantine breach – due to insufficient evidence.
After full consideration and deliberation of all available evidence, Attorney-General (AG) Tan Sri Idrus Harun said in his media release the Chambers found there was no home surveillance or observation order issued by the authorised officer – in the exercise of his discretion – to the minister for him to observe such home surveillance or observation order as stipulated under subsection 15(1) of Act 342 as alleged by the complainant.
“Form 14b as prescribed in the Guidelines by the Ministry of Health, which contained an order for home surveillance and or observation order under subsection 15(1) of Act 342, had never been issued to the minister before he was allowed to leave.
For an act to be considered as an offence of breaking a home quarantine order under Act 342, the home surveillance or observation order is required to be issued to the minister under subsection 15(1) of Act 342.
Accordingly, based on the above consideration, the AGC has decided to not prefer any charge against the minister – due to insufficient evidence and thus fails to meet the required burden of proof under the law, he said.
Idrus also confirmed an investigation by the police into a complaint made against Mohd Khairuddin – in respect of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) – has been carried out and completed.
“Our perusal of the investigation paper submitted by the police reveals that the minister visited Turkey on 3 July 2020, and flew back to Malaysia on 7 July 2020.
“Upon arrival at the KL International Airport, the minister underwent health inspection and screening process for Covid-19 (swab test) and the result was found to be negative. The minister was allowed to return to his residence by the authorised officer from the Ministry of Health, who was appointed under Section 3 of Act 342.”
The AG said the minister subsequently underwent a second health screening on 10 July 2020 at Kuala Lumpur Hospital for the purpose of attending a ceremony at Istana Negara on 17 Aug 2020.
Idrus said the result of the second screening was also found to be negative.
– Bernama