PMO demands Puad Zarkashi to apologise for accusing PM of refusing to be quarantined

KUALA LUMPUR: The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has demanded that Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi apologise publicly following his allegation that a three-day quarantine order for ministers visiting abroad was gazetted because the Prime Minister refused to be quarantined on his return from an official visit to Indonesia.

The PMO in a statement issued today, stressed that legal action would be taken if the UMNO Supreme Council member failed to do so.

The statement explained that the Prime Minister was handed the Home Surveillance and Observation Order (HSO) and put on a wristband upon arrival from Jakarta on Friday, 5 February 2021.

He is currently undergoing quarantine at home.

The statement also mentioned that the slander made by Mohd Puad was malicious to tarnish the good name of the Prime Minister.

It was announced yesterday that Cabinet Ministers returning from official trips abroad are now exempted from the 10-day observation or home surveillance period.

This was stated in the latest federal government gazette under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Disease (Exemption) Order 2021 published on the Attorney-General's Chambers website yesterday.

“Subject to paragraph 3, the Minister exempts Cabinet Ministers who return from any official visits abroad from the application of Section 15 of the Act.

“Cabinet Ministers who return from any official visit abroad must undergo observation for three days or undergo surveillance until discharged without endangering the public," the gazette stated.