Is Annuar Musa untouchable, ask lawyers and MP
Federal territories minister Annuar Musa at the controversial dinner.
PETALING JAYA: Two lawyers and an MP are asking if federal territories minister Annuar Musa enjoys “immunity” as he has been getting away with flimsy excuses for blatant violation of Covid-19 standard operating procedures.
They want action to be taken against him, the organiser of a dinner and six others who attended for disregarding SOPs in place for the movement control order (MCO).
They said although the organiser had apologised, they should not be left off the hook as saying sorry did not absolve anyone from being punished for an offence.
The incident involved Kelab Pencinta Alam Kolam Takungan Banjir Sungai Midah which had invited Annuar to visit a community centre project in the Cheras township.
A photo that was widely shared on social media showed the former Barisan Nasional secretary-general dining at the same table with six other people at an event in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The latest SOPs released by the National Security Council stipulate that only a maximum of two people can eat together at the same table.
Lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali said it was a clear breach of SOPs and the minister’s excuse that he just sat there “for a short while” was totally unacceptable.
“It is an admittance. All present must be immediately issued a summons and fined,” he told FMT.
He said everyone must be treated equally before the law, whether it be politicians or ordinary citizens.
Klang MP Charles Santiago said Annuar seemed to have special privileges when compared with other citizens in the country.
“He continues to violate SOPs with impunity and law enforcement is silent. Such inaction sends a wrong message that the rich and people with power are above the law.”
Charles said the police cannot have double standards in the way they executed the laws of the country, adding that they were equally culpable together with Annuar for allowing this incident to happen.
Lawyer M Manoharan said action must be taken as all are equally guilty.
“The organiser should be punished for not following the SOPs, just like any other restaurant operator who fails to ensure there are only two to a table,” he said.
He urged the authorities to check with MySejahtera as the event organiser and the diners may have breached more than one offence.
Manoharan said it was crucial for ministers to show leadership by example.
This morning, Umno leader Puad Zarkashi had dismissed Annuar’s explanation as another excuse similar to when the latter was photographed exercising outdoors with two acquaintances, again in apparent violation of the SOPs.
The incidents come at a time when there is growing dissatisfaction among the rakyat over double standards in the enforcement of SOPs.
They want action to be taken against him, the organiser of a dinner and six others who attended for disregarding SOPs in place for the movement control order (MCO).
They said although the organiser had apologised, they should not be left off the hook as saying sorry did not absolve anyone from being punished for an offence.
The incident involved Kelab Pencinta Alam Kolam Takungan Banjir Sungai Midah which had invited Annuar to visit a community centre project in the Cheras township.
A photo that was widely shared on social media showed the former Barisan Nasional secretary-general dining at the same table with six other people at an event in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The latest SOPs released by the National Security Council stipulate that only a maximum of two people can eat together at the same table.
Lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali said it was a clear breach of SOPs and the minister’s excuse that he just sat there “for a short while” was totally unacceptable.
“It is an admittance. All present must be immediately issued a summons and fined,” he told FMT.
He said everyone must be treated equally before the law, whether it be politicians or ordinary citizens.
Klang MP Charles Santiago said Annuar seemed to have special privileges when compared with other citizens in the country.
“He continues to violate SOPs with impunity and law enforcement is silent. Such inaction sends a wrong message that the rich and people with power are above the law.”
Charles said the police cannot have double standards in the way they executed the laws of the country, adding that they were equally culpable together with Annuar for allowing this incident to happen.
Lawyer M Manoharan said action must be taken as all are equally guilty.
“The organiser should be punished for not following the SOPs, just like any other restaurant operator who fails to ensure there are only two to a table,” he said.
He urged the authorities to check with MySejahtera as the event organiser and the diners may have breached more than one offence.
Manoharan said it was crucial for ministers to show leadership by example.
This morning, Umno leader Puad Zarkashi had dismissed Annuar’s explanation as another excuse similar to when the latter was photographed exercising outdoors with two acquaintances, again in apparent violation of the SOPs.
The incidents come at a time when there is growing dissatisfaction among the rakyat over double standards in the enforcement of SOPs.
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kt notes:
An UMNO man, he is so pro-PPBM that he might as well be a PPBM man - go on Annuar Musa, hop across to PPBM.
But as one so pro PPM he is invaluable to PM Muhyiddin - I doubt he'll be punished though like another "valuable-to-Moo-Moo's" slim majority, to wit, PAS Khairuddin who defied the quarantine rules, he may be let off when he makes a "gesture", whatever this may be, wakakaka.
thats the beauty of a malay muslim govt, some r definitely more equal.
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