‘Elected reps allowed to conduct programmes, but must follow SOP’
CORONAVIRUS | Elected representatives are allowed to conduct programmes at their constituencies during the movement control order (MCO) period but they must abide by the standard operating procedure (SOP) to curb Covid-19, said Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Ismail said that elected representatives are among individuals or groups allowed to conduct their duties during the MCO similar to government departments, among others...
CORONAVIRUS | Big gatherings and big banquets are not allowed, says Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
CORONAVIRUS | Elected representatives are allowed to conduct programmes at their constituencies during the movement control order (MCO) period but they must abide by the standard operating procedure (SOP) to curb Covid-19, said Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Ismail said that elected representatives are among individuals or groups allowed to conduct their duties during the MCO similar to government departments, among others.
He, however, said that while elected representatives need to look after the interests of the people in their constituencies, they must conduct their programmes on a smaller scale with fewer people.
“No big gatherings, big programmes for handing over aid (program serahan bantuan besar-besaran).
“Big gatherings, jamuan besar (big banquets) are not allowed. When out and about, (elected representatives) do not need large vehicle entourage and so forth.
“Enough with just around two or three people to follow their entourage to give food or other aid and so forth,” he said during a press conference in Putrajaya broadcast live on Facebook this afternoon.
Ismail (photo), however, said that it is still better though to rely on frontliners that the government has placed at the elected representatives’ constituencies such as the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) and Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM) to assist in passing aid to the people.
“The SOP (guidelines) we have issued to all elected representatives, whether members of parliament (MPs) or state assemblypersons. Anyone during the MCO period must abide by the SOP established by MKN (National Security Council),” he added.
Meanwhile, Ismail also said that in regard to the recent incident of certain VIPs alleged to have violated the MCO, he was made to understand that the police have taken statements from them and will decide on the next course of action.
“In regard to the issue of the VVIP that has spread widely in the media yesterday and this morning, nobody is free from action being taken under the law if there had been contravention and non-abiding with the MCO.
“In the case involving a member of the government, I was made to understand that the police had called the individual concerned, and the next course of action is up to the police.
“It is not true about the perception (tanggapan) and accusations from many out there in regards to the police’s approach on each violator of the MCO,” Ismail said.
Today, it was reported that Perak state executive councillor Razman Zakaria has apologised over an event that involved a group of people, including Deputy Health Minister Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali.
They were pictured having a meal together in apparent violation of the MCO. The pictures went viral online yesterday.
Yesterday, it was reported that police would summon a deputy health minister over allegations of flouting MCO.
Noor Azmi did not respond to requests for comment.
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