In Malaysia, questions over minister’s small fine for coronavirus quarantine breach

Minister Khairuddin Aman Razali, who attended Parliament five days after returning from Turkey, was fined just 1,000 ringgit (US$239)

He is a member of the Islamist PAS party propping up Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s razor-thin legislative majority

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Malaysian minister Khairuddin Aman Razali has been criticised for breaching mandatory quarantine orders after an overseas trip, and over the relatively small fine he received. Photo: Twitter

Published: 7:30pm, 22 Aug 2020Updated: 7:30pm, 22 Aug 2020

Malaysia’s social media users and opposition on Saturday criticised the Health Ministry’s decision to fine a government minister who failed to self-isolate following an overseas trip just 1,000 ringgit (US$239), far less than the penalties imposed on other citizens who committed similar offences.

The government came under heavy criticism this week over the saga involving Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Khairuddin Aman Razali, who returned from a trip to Turkey on July 7 and attended Parliament five days later.

Under current rules to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, all inbound travellers must isolate themselves at home or in government facilities for 14 days and be subject to at least two tests.

Officials this week said Khairuddin’s case was being investigated, raising hackles that the government was dragging its feet on the matter in the hope that his transgressions would soon be overshadowed by other pressing issues.

Opposition figures and prominent political commentators suggested the episode was yet another example of double standards in the way virus control measures were being applied in the country.

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