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Nobody Is Above The Law, Says Minister Who Himself Is Being Investigated For Alleged SOP Violation

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Almost every other day, there would be news on social media about how ministers, public figures or VIPs are seemingly flouting the standard operating procedures set by the government.


The police have done a pretty good job investigating the cases so far, but more needs to be done to ensure that there's no double standards when it comes to punishment.

You do the crime, you do the time

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob told New Straits Times that the police should not hold back in meting out punishments if one is found to have violated the MCO standard operating procedures.

Ismail Sabri added that the law does not discriminate, and no one is above it, including celebrities and public figures.

No one is mightier than the law, says Ismail Sabri.
"As I have always said, nobody is above the law. Not even the VIPs or the non-VIPs. All of us are bound by the law and whoever breaks it will be held accountable.

"I have been getting images and complaints on a daily basis about those who openly flout the standard operating procedures (SOP)," he was quoted as saying.

Ismail Sabri said that it is up to the relevant authorities to handle the VIPs who had allegedly flouted the law.

He also encouraged Malaysians to share information of "big names" who breached the SOPs with the authorities so that action can be taken against them, adding that he would do the same.

Center of controversy

Interestingly, Ismail Sabri himself has been the subject of scrutiny and investigations for allegedly violating the set SOPs.

In November, photos of him sitting down for a meal at a restaurant in Melaka without practicing physical distancing went viral on social media.

In the picture, Ismail Sabri can be seen sitting next to Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali and state assembly speaker Ab Rauf Yusoh without their masks on and no physical distancing.

After explaining that the photos were taken at a bad angle to slander him, no further action was taken.

So, what's the story?
On Wednesday (31 March), Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Huzir Mohamed told Bernama that the police are investigating Ismail Sabri's visit to the Sendayan military camp for an alleged breach of SOP.

“On the case involving Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri, we will get a statement from the event organiser. It was an official visit but because reports were lodged, we will still record statements,” he was quoted as saying.

It will be interesting to see if Ismail Sabri can walk the talk when it comes to his own cases.

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