Ramkarpal: Why is Annuar not being fined like the rest?
Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh has questioned why the police have to refer the case of Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa purportedly flouting the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) to the attorney-general (AG), instead of slapping him with a compound.
Ramkarpal labelled Kuala Lumpur police chief Saiful Azly Kamaruddin's statement on the move to do so as "absolute nonsense" and "smacks of double standards".
"Why is Annuar’s case so different to the point that it needs to go all the way up to the AG?
"Unless Annuar is being investigated for a non-compoundable offence under the Penal Code, which there has been no indication of, he should be treated like any other citizen who breached SOPs.
"Surely, the AG has more pressing matters to attend to such as various challenges to the advice of the prime minister to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in promulgating ordinances which effectively suspended Parliament during the course of this emergency," he said in a statement today.
The DAP national legal bureau chairperson pointed out that many who breached the SOPS were fined under Section 25 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.
The Section of the Act states: “Compounding of offences. The director-general or any public officer authorised for this purpose by him in writing may compound any offence under this Act or any regulations made under this Act which has been prescribed by regulations as compoundable by collecting from the offender a sum of money not exceeding RM1,000.”
In relation to this, Ramkarpal said: "Why is Annuar not being offered a compound like the rest?"
Ramkarpal labelled Kuala Lumpur police chief Saiful Azly Kamaruddin's statement on the move to do so as "absolute nonsense" and "smacks of double standards".
"Why is Annuar’s case so different to the point that it needs to go all the way up to the AG?
"Unless Annuar is being investigated for a non-compoundable offence under the Penal Code, which there has been no indication of, he should be treated like any other citizen who breached SOPs.
"Surely, the AG has more pressing matters to attend to such as various challenges to the advice of the prime minister to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in promulgating ordinances which effectively suspended Parliament during the course of this emergency," he said in a statement today.
The DAP national legal bureau chairperson pointed out that many who breached the SOPS were fined under Section 25 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.
The Section of the Act states: “Compounding of offences. The director-general or any public officer authorised for this purpose by him in writing may compound any offence under this Act or any regulations made under this Act which has been prescribed by regulations as compoundable by collecting from the offender a sum of money not exceeding RM1,000.”
In relation to this, Ramkarpal said: "Why is Annuar not being offered a compound like the rest?"
He added that if the police failed to fine the federal territories minister, they may be seen as practising double standards in the treatment of politicians and ordinary citizens.
When contacted, Saiful declined to comment on the statement, saying that he had already explained the case in a media conference today.
Earlier, Berita Harian reported that the police were reviewing the facts and evidence of the case before submitting the investigation papers to the AG's office for further action.
This came after the police recorded statements from Annuar and several others yesterday.
Annuar was said to have breached the SOP after a picture of him and six others sitting at a table together for a meal circulated on social media.
The picture was believed to have been taken during an event in Seri Petaling on Feb 13.
When contacted, Saiful declined to comment on the statement, saying that he had already explained the case in a media conference today.
Earlier, Berita Harian reported that the police were reviewing the facts and evidence of the case before submitting the investigation papers to the AG's office for further action.
This came after the police recorded statements from Annuar and several others yesterday.
Annuar was said to have breached the SOP after a picture of him and six others sitting at a table together for a meal circulated on social media.
The picture was believed to have been taken during an event in Seri Petaling on Feb 13.
Ha ha... let the show begin!
ReplyDeleteHe would have said it's a old photo from before the MCO, except the banner clearly stated the date- Feb 13, 2021😄😄😄
ReplyDeleteannuar sacrifice a lot for us, show him some respect.
ReplyDeleteDoggie coming to the defence of its dangdut pal!
Delete