SLIM RIVER: Datuk Dr Khairuddin Aman Razali today said the police investigation into his failure to comply with the mandatory home quarantine order upon returning from Turkey last month has not affected his work.
The Plantation, Industries and Commodities Minister said he and three other family members were called by the police yesterday to have their statements taken between 8.45pm and 10.45pm.
"Yesterday, I went to Bukit Aman for the first time. It was not my second time (to Bukit Aman) as reported by several media. I went there between 8.45pm and 10.45pm in regards to the issue that was raised.
"It is up to the police as well as the Attorney-General (to take further action). The investigation doesn't affect my job. Everyone makes mistakes.
"I am satisfied (with the police investigation). I had apologised (for my actions) and I pledged to donate the salary I obtained between May and August to Covid-19 fund," he told reporters after after attending state-level Jom MSPO (Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil) at Dewan Tan Sri Haji Ghazali Jawi here, today.
When asked about an online petition for him to resign from his post as minister, Khairuddin said he did not commit any mistakes which regard to his post.
"(The mistake) only involved breaching the standard operating procedure. I do not want to elaborate on this. I will let the police handle this matter as they are (carrying out an investigation), even though I have my own opinion about it" said Khairuddin, who is Kuala Nerus member of parliament.
Asked whether the police had asked him anything about his purpose in visiting Turkey, he said the trip was about settling matters pertaining to projects in Terengganu.
"Then, I met Malaysian Palm Oil Council officers and several important businessmen to manage our palm oil projects. Among those I met were the president of a council which handled Turkish commodities. He handled (Malaysia's) palm oil exports to Turkey.
"The negotiation was fruitful as we managed to (reach an agreement to) bring in some 300,000 tonnes of our palm oil (to Turkey), which makes Turkey a hub.
"We are also bringing the commodity to Greece and the Balkans. There was also a request from Bosnia (and Herzegovina) and we are still negotiating this," said Khairuddin.
On Aug 18, Seputeh member of parliament Teresa Kok had highlighted Khairuddin's failure in observing the mandatory 14-day home quarantine when debating the Temporary Measures for Government Financing (Covid-19) 2020 bill in Parliament.
She told the august house that said Khairuddin went for an official visit to Turkey from July 3 to 7, but was present in Parliament here on July 13.
The Health Ministry later confirm that Khairuddin had been issued with a RM1,000 compound on Aug 7 for failure to adhere to the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).
Police have also opened an investigation paper on the minister for breaching quarantine regulations following 27 police reports lodged on the matter.