Health DG explanation of deputy minister quarantine disappointing - MP
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng today criticised the Health Ministry over the handling of deputy minister Edmund Santhara's case, particularly its director-general whom he said had given a "disappointing explanation".
This comes after Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah told the media that Santhara was allowed to undergo home quarantine after returning from New Zealand because the Segamat MP has "a suitable home".
"Noor Hisham explained that Santhara had...
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng today criticised the Health Ministry over the handling of deputy minister Edmund Santhara's case, particularly its director-general whom he said had given a "disappointing explanation".
This comes after Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah told the media that Santhara was allowed to undergo home quarantine after returning from New Zealand because the Segamat MP has "a suitable home".
"Noor Hisham explained that Santhara had returned from a low-risk country and had a home suitable for quarantine.
"His explanation is disappointing when he is behaving no different from a Perikatan Nasional politician explaining why Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Khairuddin Aman Razali was compounded with only RM1,000 without being charged court, after failing to observe quarantine rules upon returning to Malaysia from Turkey in August last year," said Lim in a statement.
Santhara, who is the deputy federal territories minister, returned to Malaysia recently after spending over 80 days in New Zealand.
Under the present standard operating procedures (SOPs), those arriving from abroad must self-isolate at designated quarantine centres like hotels instead of their own homes.
However, the Santhara told Malaysiakini on March 24 that he was undergoing 10 days of mandatory quarantine and was working online.
Following this, S Mani Vannan, a Malaysian pilot who resides in Singapore, asked why the politician could be allowed to undergo home quarantine when his application for the same to care for his ailing mother was rejected by the Health Ministry.
When queried about this, Noor Hisham yesterday said the ministry had given Santhara an exception after performing their risk assessment.
"Among the considerations (are that) New Zealand (is a) low-risk country (and) he has a suitable home for quarantine," Noor Hisham had said.
On this, Lim pointed to the pilot's case, saying that the latter also comes from a low-risk country and that he also tested negative for Covid-19 in seven tests.
"S Mani said his request for home quarantine had been refused last month even after testing negative in seven Covid-19 tests and being vaccinated in Singapore.
"Noor Hisham’s explanation raises questions on his Health Ministry’s requirement of a suitable home. Is a home suitable for quarantine only if it is palatial or owned by the rich and powerful?
"Such double standards between one who is rich and powerful, and one who is an ordinary citizen displays arrogance and contempt for right against wrong," he said.
The Bagan MP added that this is why Parliament should be allowed to reconvene immediately, so that it can ensure accountability and prevent preferential treatment.
"The PN government should stop its cocky misconception that it can do no wrong or worse, do as it likes without regard for proper conduct and appropriate behaviour, just because Parliament is suspended.
"That is why it is important that Parliament be restored immediately to ensure full accountability and prevent serial recurrence of preferential treatment of ministers and deputy ministers," said Lim.
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