MCO: Deputy Health Minister testifies to police, apologises for attending banquet

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali has made a public apology for attending a dinner at a tahfiz ceremony in Lenggong, Perak on Friday in the midst of the Movement Control Order (MCO).

He said he had given his side of the story at the Putrajaya District Police Headquarters (IPD) on Monday afternoon and was ready to give full cooperation to the police in conducting investigation.

He added that he greatly appreciated the sacrifices made by the frontliners such as the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), Ministry of Health (MOH) personnel and government agencies involved in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak.

"I really appreciate the commitment of the police in carrying out their responsibilities in enforcing the law regardless of individual background, position and so on.

"I pray that all Malaysians will continue to be patient and calm in the face of the challenges during the period of the Movement Control Order," he said in a press statement on Monday.

Recently, a picture of a deputy minister and a state assemblyman eating at a tahfiz school in Lenggong went viral on social media, drawing a public outcry as they were deemed to be in violation of the MCO.

Perak Exco member, Razman Zakaria who is also Gunung Semanggol assemblyman had also apologised yesterday.

The issue had also received the attention of Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob who handed it over to the police for further action.