Food bank closure: Syed Saddiq disputes cops claim of no permission
UPDATED 9:30PM: Included Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s response to Johor police.
The Johor police have explained why Syed Saddiq was instructed to close his food bank initiative yesterday.
State police chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the Muar MP did not have permission to distribute supplies from his service centre.
Speaking during a broadcasted press conference this afternoon, Ayob clarified...
UPDATED 8:30PM: Included Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s response to Johor police.
The Johor police have explained why Syed Saddiq was instructed to close his food bank initiative yesterday.
State police chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the Muar MP did not have permission to distribute supplies from his service centre.
Speaking during a broadcasted press conference this afternoon, Ayob Khan clarified it was a district health officer, not the police, who advised the programme's closure after “more than a hundred” gathered there without physical distancing.
“From what I understand, Syed Saddiq did seek permission but the permission was to distribute items from house to house.
“But what happened instead was that the distribution was done from his service centre in Muar. This caused many to gather, more than a hundred people.
“So first of all, he did not apply for permission from the disaster operations control centre (PKOB) to hold a programme at his service centre. Secondly, when many gathered without any social distancing, the district health officer went to the area and instructed that the programme be stopped,” Ayob Khan said.
Syed Saddiq disputes
Yesterday, the opposition politician claimed police asked him to close his “office” from today onwards due to crowds.
Syed Saddiq said he was upset at being barred from helping his struggling constituents, adding that he was willing to defy instructions and be fined as long as he could distribute essentials to them.
The MP further stressed that he and his team had followed all standard operating procedures (SOPs) but could not turn away those in need.
Following Ayob’s explanation today, Syed Saddiq shared an image of his permission letter to prove his team had been authorised to operate throughout “the entire Muar parliamentary constituency”.
According to the June 7 document, there was neither any restriction on operating from his service centre nor any requirement to only distribute items from house to house.
“I always cooperate with the authorities. We go from house to house, we distribute through village chiefs. But it is not enough. That is why closing my office is not the solution.
“My team will contact the authorities and ask them to help us at the office. Together we will help the Muar people,” he tweeted.
Ayob Khan said today that police will not be penalising Syed Saddiq for the programme but said he had been issued a “warning” by the district health officer.
“If any MPs or local assemblypersons want to hold programmes, they can.
“But please follow the National Security Council procedures and SOPs.
“Apply for formal permission from the PKOB. Then we can carry out monitoring and the like,” he said.
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