The confusing SOPs and flip flops by the relevant authorities did not help either:

Thankfully, a minister has finally decided to come out and clear the air about one of the longest standing misconceptions about the SOPs: whether a passenger can sit in front of a vehicle alongside the driver.

Finally, a confirmation!

On Wednesday (11 November), Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob confirmed that it is not compulsory for car passengers to only sit at the rear of the vehicle.

He told Malay Mail that it is not against the SOP to sit shotgun if both driver and the passenger come from the same location or family.

In fact, Ismail Sabri reiterated that you can sit anywhere in the car.

“There is no rule in place that says you have to sit at the back of the car. You can sit anywhere in the car. If you want to sit in front, by all means," he was quoted as saying.

On top of that, passengers do not even need to wear a face mask in the car, providing that they are from the same family or come from the same location.

Ismail Sabri's exaplanation came after a video clip showing a policeman issuing a fine to a passenger seated in the front of a car went viral on social media.

According to Ismail Sabri, the fine was issued to the driver for using his smartphone while driving, not the passenger for sitting in front of the car.

“I found out that the police did not summon the passenger, but the driver who was caught using his phone while he was driving. He was summoned for that, but he spread the news as if the passenger was the one summoned for sitting next to him,” he was further quoted as saying.