The Malaysian Insight

MINISTRY of Higher Education (MOHE) director-general Prof Dr Husaini Omar has denied breaking Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) at a Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) programme on the first day of Hari Raya as police’s investigation underway.

Husaini told The Malaysian Insight that he had not violated any movement control order (MCO) restrictions during the visit that involved some 800 students but declined to comment further.

On Saturday, news portal Malaysia Dateline reported that Husaini had attended a Raya celebration event at UPM last Thursday. 

According to a source, Husaini had launched the event, which was held at the 10th UPM Residential College.

Besides Husaini, the programme was also attended by two other deputy vice-chancellors and officers of the UPM General Staff Union.

The event is understood to involve international students and those from Sabah and Sarawak who are unable to return home for Raya celebrations.

According to MCO 3.0, which began on May 12, all social gatherings including government-organised ones will be barred during the MCO period. 

In a statement, police said it was investigating claims that MOHE director-general had violated SOP when officiating the event.

Serdang acting district police chief Mohd Rosdi Daud said police commenced investigations after receiving a report following an article published by a news portal on the alleged incident. 

“Investigations are currently being conducted under Regulation 17 P.U (A) 225/2021 (Violation of Movement Control Order SOP) and if convicted, a compound of RM2,000 can be imposed on visitors and RM10,000 on the organisers,” he said. – May 16, 2021.