Minister says spent less than 12 hours in Dubai, back before PM's order
Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Faizal Azumu has admitted to be among cabinet ministers said to be on holiday abroad amid the flood crisis.
Utusan TV quoted Faizal as saying that he had spent less than 12 hours in Dubai last Wednesday with his two sons, who are both studying in the UK, and they have not met since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic two years ago.
"Yes, I did apply for leave...
Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Faizal Azumu has admitted to be among cabinet ministers said to be on holiday abroad amid the flood crisis.
Utusan TV quoted Faizal as saying that he had spent less than 12 hours in Dubai last Wednesday with his two sons, who are both studying in the UK, and they have not met since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic two years ago.
"Yes, I did apply for leave and once I received approval, I flew to Dubai on Wednesday (Dec 22) to meet my sons.
"However, looking at the country's flood situation, my heart felt uneasy," he was quoted as saying.
"So I decided to purchase a return ticket after only about 12 hours there (in Dubai).
"I managed to sit down for a brief chat with my sons before flying home at 8am, Thursday (Dec 23), before Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob issued the instruction," he said, according to Utusan TV.
Record amount of rainfall on Dec 17 had triggered massive flooding in several parts of the country and Faizal had, on Dec 19, launched his ministry's post-flood volunteer squad.
He later responded to former premier Najib Abdul Razak who criticised the formal launch set-up, complete with a digital backdrop.
It is not immediately clear whether Faizal had participated in the volunteer squad or when his leave application was approved.
Last Friday, Ismail Sabri cancelled the year-end leave applications from his cabinet members until after the flood situation had passed.
He also ordered those already on leave and abroad to come back immediately.
Yesterday, Ismail Sabri, without mentioning any names, said at least two or three ministers who went abroad have returned home and are under self-quarantine.
Aside from Faizal, Malaysiakini understood that the returning ministers include Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who yesterday revealed that he had been tested positive for Covid-19 along with four other family members.
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