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KUALA LUMPUR – The government must revoke the three-day quarantine order for cabinet members who return from overseas trips because the rationale behind it is not backed by scientific facts and is discriminatory to all Malaysians, said 34 opposition MPs in a joint statement.
The MPs said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba has made confusing statements involving quarantine orders concerning those returning from abroad.
“We want the government to implement a fair quarantine for all parties as Covid-19 does not discriminate between position or rank, or whether the person is a minister,” they said.
At the same time, the government has acted sternly on the public nationwide by imposing heavy fines and arresting many for flouting the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
The statement said ministers must show exemplary behaviour by adhering to all the SOPs and Covid-19 pandemic controls because if they do not, they could create new clusters.
Dr Adham’s statements has also been criticised by infectious diseases expert Prof Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman and Academy of Medicine Malaysia’s Prof Dr Rosmawati Mohamed.
On February 8, Dr Adham said that ministers who return from official duties overseas need only be confined for three days, compared with the average Malaysian, who has to be quarantined for 10 days.
He defended his decision the following day, saying that the special quarantine only applies to ministers who stick to requirements set under their “bubble itineraries”, and do not participate in unofficial programmes.
This includes Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s recent official trip to Indonesia.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein who visited the United Arab Emirates on the other hand had to undergo a 10-day quarantine as his itinerary was packed.
Having been criticised by the public, Dr Adham then made a more confusing statement by saying that the three-day quarantine will be applied to businessmen and civilians as well.
The opposition MPs demanded that the Health Minister explain the rationale and criteria employed in applying this quarantine order to Malaysians who return from overseas visits, regardless if they are ministers or ordinary citizens.
“Dr Adham cannot at his whim and fancy issue federal gazettes that relax the rules for certain ministers as this gives rise to a dual-standard quarantine for ministers who travel overseas,” they said.
Joint statement by:
1. Datuk Darell Leiking (Penampang MP)
2. Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muar MP)
3. Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman (Sepanggar MP)
4. Hannah Yeoh (Segambut MP)
5. Yeo Bee Yin (Bakri MP)
6. Baru Bian (Selangau MP)
7. Datuk Rozman Isli (Labuan MP)
8. Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub (Pulai MP)
9. Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah (Kubang Pasu MP)
10. Teo Nie Ching (Kulai MP)
11. Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis (Kota Belud MP)
12. Datuk Mahfuz Omar (Pokok Sena MP)
13. Khalid Abdul Samad (Shah Alam MP)
14. Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji (Raub MP)
15. Maria Chin Abdullah (Petaling Jaya MP)
16. Wong Shu Qi (Kluang MP)
17. Teresa Kok (Seputeh MP)
18. Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (Kuala Selangor MP)
19. Dr Lee Boon Chye (Gopeng MP)
20. Kasthuriraani Patto (Batu Kawan MP)
21. P. Prabakaran (Batu MP)
22. M. Kulasegaran (Ipoh Barat MP)
23. Chong Chieng Jen (Stampin MP)
24. Sivarasa Rasiah (Sg Buloh MP)
25. Chan Foong Hin (Kota Kinabalu MP)
26. Steven Choong (Tebrau MP)
27. Dr Maszlee Malik (Simpang Renggam MP)
28. Chan Ming Kai (Alor Star MP)
29. Dr Azman Ismail (Kuala Kedah MP)
30. Thomas Su (Kampar MP)
31. Alice Lau (Lanang MP)
32. Sim Tze Tzin (Bayan Baru MP)
33. Datuk Christina Liew (Tawau MP)
34. Nor Azrina Surip @ Nurin Aina (Merbok MP) – The Vibes, February 10, 2021