As the old Malay saying goes, ‘harapkan pegar, pegar makan padi‘. As members of the government, these fellas should have led by example. Instead, they were caught breaking the very law in which they legislate.
Well, to be fair, most have owned up to their mistakes and were punished accordingly. However, whether the punishment meted was just or not in comparison to the ones received by regular Malaysians for the same offence, is up to debate.
What are we talking about? Let’s have a look, shall we?
1. Minister of Plantation Industry and Commodities breaking mandatory quarantine
Dato’ Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali went for a trip overseas in Turkey from 3 to 7 July 2020. However, he attended a Dewan Rakyat session on 13 July, meaning he did not went through the 14-days mandatory quarantine period.
It’s fair to say that Malaysians would never have known that he went overseas at all if not for Seputeh Member of Parliament (MP), Teresa Kok bringing it up in Parliament.
Law broken: Act 342 or the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.
Punishment received: RM1,000 compound by Ministry of Health (MOH) on August 7.
For similar offences:
- The ‘makcik gelang pink’ was fined RM8,000 and jailed for a day.
- The Kedah nasi kandar restaurant owner was fined RM12,000 and jailed for 5 months.
Why the different punishments? Well, because the maximum compound from MOH is RM1,000, as confirmed by Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham. He also said that a separate police investigation is on the way, with the possibility of Khairuddin being charged for every instances of him breaking quarantine.
Let’s wait and see for any development okay!
2. Deputy Woman Minister revealing identity of a murder victim’s child
As reported by Malay Mail, Dato’ Hajjah Siti Zailah was slammed by opposition women leaders for a ‘photo op’ with a child of a murder victim.
She posted the identity of the victim on her Instagram post above and in the report from Utusan Malaysia on August 5 2020, even the name of the child was mentioned. As the Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community, it’s pretty ironic that Zailah broke the law meant to protect children.
Law broken: Act 611 or Child Act 2001.
Punishment received: Nothing.
3. Minister of Foreign Affairs vaping in Parliament
A short video of Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein vaping in Parliament went viral on 6 August and he immediately took to Twitter to apologize. He said that it was a new habit and that he didn’t notice.
When pressed in Parliament a few days later, the Foreign Affairs Minister said he has been compounded and has already paid it.
Law broken: Control of Tobacco Products (Amendment) Regulations 2018.
Punishment received: RM250 compound.
This is the standard compound and not RM10,000, which is a common misconception. You’d be fined a maximum of RM10,000 or 2 years jail only if you were brought to court and failed to pay the RM250 compound.
4. Several Melaka ADUNs smoking during a press conference
On 3 March 2020, the Melaka State Government changed leadership with the PH State government falling after a few ADUNs defected.
During the press conference announcing the change of government, several Melaka ADUNs from Barisan Nasional and Bersatu were caught on camera smoking in the MITC Hotel, which is a smoke-free zone.
Law broken: Control of Tobacco Products (Amendment) Regulations 2018.
Punishment received: As far as we know, nothing. If they were compounded, then it was never publicized.
5. Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports soliciting votes by promising support letters
Recently, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal in a leaked video said that he will issue support letters to party members who votes for him as Bersatu’s youth chief.
This can be considered using your office or position for gratification, an offence under the MACC Act 2009. Wan Fayhsal subsequently won the party election as youth chief.
Law broken: Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009
Punishment received: Nothing.
6. Deputy Minister of Defence issuing support letter for own son
Deputy Minister of Defence, Dato’ Sri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz has been called out for nepotism after a support letter he brandished requesting for his son to be made a board member of Pharmaniaga Bhd has gone viral.
This can also be seen as an offence under the MACC Act, as he is using his office or position as gratification for his son. Minister of Defence, Dato’ Ismail Sabri has since verified the authenticity of the letter but it was redacted and the appointment never went through.
Law broken: Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009.
Punishment received: Nothing.
The Deputy Minister of Defence was also allegedly seen using the Royal Air Force carrier for personal purposes earlier this month.
7. Deputy Minister of Health breaking MCO
In the most ironic of circumstances, Deputy Minister of Health, Datuk Noor Azmi Ghazali broke the Movement Control Order (MCO) which his own ministry enforced.
He was seen having lunch at a tahfiz school with around 20 to 30 other people and not adhering to the social distancing rules of MCO.
Law broken: Rule 6 (1) of the Prevention Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020.
Punishment received: RM1,000 fine.
8. Terengganu Menteri Besar also breaking MCO
The Star reported that Datuk Seriu Dr Ahmad Samsuri was caught on April 17 not adhering on social distancing rules required by the MCO.
He was seen standing closely together in a group with Terengganu Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Said and other people. The police subsequently recorded his statement and didn’t find him breaking any rules.
Law broken: Rule 6 (1) of the Prevention Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020.
Punishment received: Nothing.
9. Deputy Minister of Rural Development breaking MCO to host birthday party
On 13 April 2020, Datuk Abdul Rahman Mohamad was seen celebrating a birthday party during the heights of MCO.
He went on to say that the whole thing was unplanned and he didn’t want to chase the people who came to his house away.
Law broken: Rule 6 (1) of the Prevention Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020.
Punishment received: Nothing.
10. Nurul Hidayah binti Zahid breaking MCO
Well, technically Nurul Hidayah binti Zahid Hamidi is not a politician, but the way she visited powerful members of the government during the height of MCO does make her seem like one.
She was caught flouting MCO on April 20 through her social media posts where she was seen visiting Datuk Dr Masrizal and de facto Islamic Affairs Minister Zulkifli Mohamad. She was also seen with her husband shopping together when MCO regulations forbid it. She was charged for the former but not the latter.
Law broken: Regulation 3 (1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020.
Punishment received: RM800 fine.
Her RM800 fine made abuzz in social media as people claim it was lighter than what others have received for a similar offence, particularly after a single mother was jailed and fined RM1,000.
Okay, that’s a surprisingly long list and all of them happened within the past 6 months. Hopefully, they have learned their lessons and would act responsibly from now on.
As the famous adage from R v Sussex Justices, ex parte McCarthy goes:
“Not only must Justice be done; it must also be seen to be done.”
What do you guys think of this extensive list? Is there any other instances that we forgot and left out? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Also read: Letter by M’sian Deputy Minister Requesting Son Be Made GLC Board Member Goes Viral
