Reduced quarantine period for Ministers violates citizen’s ‘constitutional right of equality’ — Malaysian Bar

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 9): The Malaysian Bar said the Government order exempting Cabinet Ministers returning from overseas official visits from the need to undergo a 10-day quarantine is a violation of the people’s “constitutional right of equality under the law”.

Citing Article 8(1) of the Federal Constitution, Malaysian Bar president Salim Bashir Bhaskaran stressed that all persons are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law.

The rule of law demands equality for all citizens, and all citizens must abide by the same set of laws, Salim said in a statement.

“Ministers should therefore demonstrate exemplary behaviour, especially since the number of Covid-19 cases has been rising steeply in the past few weeks. The virus does not see the difference between ordinary citizens and Ministers, and as a country, we must be united in the battle against the pandemic.

“There is no room for special treatment if we want our lives to return to normal,” he said.

Salim urged the Ministry of Health to reconsider the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Exemption) Order 2021, which only requires Ministers returning to the country from official duties abroad to undergo observation for three days, or undergo surveillance until he or she is discharged without danger to the public.

He said it is a well-known fact that the incubation period of the Covid-19 virus can last up to 14 days, although most symptoms are detected within the first week of quarantine, and that infected persons can be contagious and can still pose a threat to public health and safety.

Under the current SOPs, Malaysia enforces a 10-day mandatory quarantine requirement for those who travel by flight, both domestically and internationally, noted Salim.

“The Malaysian Bar urges the MoH to reconsider this order that clearly sets a different standard for Ministers,” said Salim.

“The public are entitled to know the rationale or scientific explanation for such an exemption, since members of the public are required to adhere strictly to the mandatory quarantine requirements and standard operating procedures during the pandemic,” he said.

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