The Deputy Minister for Federal Territories Edmund Santhara has returned from New Zealand after spending more than half a month there.
His private secretary Muhammad Effi Arpan revealed this to reporters today, noting that the 49-year-old was under home quarantine in Malaysia and would be working from home.
“He will only attend physical meetings after he has completed quarantine,” Effi told reporters today.
Santhara, who is also the MP representing Segamat, said that he arrived in Malaysia last week.
“I have been back in Malaysia since last week and am currently under quarantine,” he said separately. He did not comment on his controversial entry into New Zealand during the holiday season, while many citizens of that country were struggling to go home due to limited quarantine slots.
The New Zealand COVID-19 response spokesperson Chris Bishop had previously questioned his government about Santhara’s entry into the Kiwi country. Santhara has a home in Epsom, where he was reportedly living with his wife and children. He was quarantined upon his arrival in New Zealand from Dec. 23 to Jan. 9.
People started to question his absence in early March after The Sarawak Report published an article about Santhara traveling to New Zealand.
Other stories to check out:
North Korea is cutting ties with Malaysia over court’s decision to extradite man to U.S
Malaysians call on Health Minister to resign after relaxing COVID-19 rules for ministers
Reader Interactions