Former federal territories minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa has rubbished Malaysians’ comments condemning him for not wearing a mask while outdoors.
The Ketereh MP defended his actions on Facebook, saying that a mask was not needed while exercising.
“During a morning walk today (Aug 19), I passed by a few roadside hawkers, but some commented that I did not wear a mask.
“Indeed, one is not advisable to wear a mask while conducting outdoor leisure activities like jogging, brisk walking, cycling or play football,” he said in the post.
In a Twitter post that had been deleted, Annuar was seen taking a photo at a roadside stall while taking a stroll along the road.
Malaysians were quick to condemn the former minister for not wearing a mask in public.
However, the photo of him taking a picture with the roadside hawker without wearing a mask still remained in his Facebook.
Apart from slamming him for not wearing a face mask in public, netizens also pointed out that he should not have asked Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to let the unlicensed stall off the hook.
Today’s incident comes just a month after he was hit with a RM2,000 fine for his visit to former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s house in Kuala Lumpur, in breach of movement restrictions.
He was also handed a RM1,000 fine for dining at a table with six others during a visit to a community centre project in Cheras in February.
Meanwhile, in January, the former minister was photographed jogging with two others without a mask.
While sporting and recreational activities were restricted during the period, jogging was allowed in pairs.
Members of the public do not need to wear a mask when exercising near their residences, but they are still required to wear one when interacting with others.
This is in addition to keeping a one-metre physical distance, according to SOPs listed by the government.