Malaysia deputy health minister fined US$229 for breaching coronavirus lockdown rules

Noor Azmi Ghazali and Perak executive council member Razman Zakaria were both fined after being photographed at a meal with 13 others

The pair’s punishment comes after a slew of the country’s politicians have been spotted flouting social distancing rules – sparking fierce backlash

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Malaysia's Deputy Health Minister Noor Azmi Ghazali, centre, and others at the meal on April 18. Photo: Facebook

Published: 1:47pm, 28 Apr 2020Updated: 10:25pm, 28 Apr 2020

Malaysia’s deputy health minister and another politician have both been fined after pleading guilty to breaching the country’s movement control order to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Noor Azmi Ghazali, the deputy minister, and Perak executive council member Razman Zakaria were ordered by a magistrate’s court on Tuesday to pay the maximum 1,000 ringgit (US$229) fine each for flouting the rules.

They were charged alongside 13 others, all of whom had been photographed eating together on April 18 in direct contravention of Malaysia’s strict ban on social visits.

The two politicians also visited a religious school in the northern state of Perak for prayers before having the meal, despite religious gatherings being banned under the movement control order Malaysia imposed in mid-March.

An imam leads a prayer during the first day of Ramadan at the National Mosque of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. Under the partial lockdown, religious gatherings are banned. Photo: AP

Speaking to reporters, Noor Azmi said in future he would “perform better” and expressed “sincere apologies”.

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