‘Lofas’ Accused Of Another SOP Violation & Receiving VIP Treatment
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Barely a day after having pleaded not guilty of breaking Covid-19 SOP, the ‘Lofas’ take center stage again – accused of another SOP violation as well as receiving preferential treatment at the Seremban Magistrate’s Court.
Celebrity entrepreneur Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor and her husband, personality preacher Muhammad Haris Mohd Ismail, recently avoided lock-up by paying a bail amounting to a total of RM15,000 and are now awaiting their court trail on 4 June.
Both are charged under the Rule 19 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Regulations (conditional movement order) 2021 – which carries the punishment of a RM50,000 fine or six-months in prison, or both, if found guilty.
READ MORE: Neelofa & Husband Out On Bail, But Malaysians Want Them In Jail
Niqab/Purdah Vs. Face mask
A police report was filed against Neelofa for not wearing a face mask during her court appearance Thursday (20 May) morning.
Seremban Police Chief Mohd Said Ibrahim explained that the report came after the celebrity’s OOTD (outfit-of-the-day) went viral.
Malaysians had gone online with photographic proof that Neelofa was not wearing a face mask under her purdah or facial veil when showing up to court – with many voicing their protest and dissatisfaction over her actions.
Rasanya kalau pakai niqab, mask pun mesti pakaikan ? Harapnya hajah pakai juga mask disebalik niqab tu. pic.twitter.com/IVXs1OGKHt
— Marina Ibrahim (@Marina_Ibrahims) May 20, 2021
Pls wear a proper mask everyone pic.twitter.com/D0j2sWxq7m
— art by cendol 🍑 (@artcdl) May 20, 2021
According to Mohd Said, the celebrity will be investigated under Section 269 of the Penal Code and Rule 17(1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures Within Infection Local Areas) Regulations 2021 for SOP negligence.
The Health Ministry (KKM) had previously made it clear that Muslim women who don facial veils are not exempted from wearing face masks in public.
We are all required to wear a face mask when in public since August 1. There are two types of masks, the medical and non-medical mask.
Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah via Malay Mail
Recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) also endorse the use of three-layer masks for adequate protection and prevention against Covid-19.
VIP treatment
A complaint was made with the Negeri Sembilan Bar Committee that the Lofas had received special treatment during Monday’s court appearance.
Reportedly, the complaint – made by a lawyer – mentions that the couple was allowed to drive into the court compound, while other civilians had to park outside and walk.
It is said that since the pandemic, court procedure only allows vehicles belonging to court staff, lawyers, prosecutors, police personnel to enter the premises. Only under certain circumstances are the public allowed to drive in – like if a person has disabilities or OKU individuals.
“Others have to park on the opposite side of the road and walk across. Some of us carry heavy files and bags while crossing the busy road. Even members of the bar who are pregnant are not allowed to park within the court premises,” writes the lawyer in the complaint as quoted by the NST.
The lawyer further stated that the court’s actions not only tarnish the reputation of the legal system but also points that they are not taking the matter seriously.
We believe that this act, which has been made public will bring a negative view not only to the Bar, but to the Courts as well. It is our duty as legal practitioners to ensure the principle of law is upheld and not manipulated by persons of undeserved importance.
via NST.
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