"It Wasn't An Old Video" - Rashid Hasnon Admits After Getting Caught At Durian Feast
He apologised for previously claiming that the video he was seen in was taken last year.
By May Vin Ang — 30 Jun 2021, 06:56 PM
Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Datuk Rashid Hasnon has admitted to attending a durian feast in Johor recently, not last year as he previously claimed
In a statement, Rashid apologised for what he labelled as confusion over what transpired.
A 14-second video went viral on social media on Tuesday, 29 June, showing the Batu Pahat MP eating durians among a large group of people outdoors.
According to New Straits Times, many netizens were unhappy seeing the people in the video enjoying durians while not wearing face masks or practising physical distancing.
When contacted on Tuesday evening, the politician claimed the outdoor feast was held last year before the first Movement Control Order (MCO)
"No [I did not breach the rules]. I think that was an old [video]. I think this was from last year before the MCO," Rashid told Malaysiakini briefly.
However, eagled-eyed social media users were able to place him and Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin at the same event in Batu Pahat on 27 June in another photo, where Zuraida was seen receiving durians while Rashid appeared to be in a shirt similar to the one he had on in the viral footage.
Zuraida at a work event in Batu Pahat on 27 June, with Rashid in the photo (left), and a screenshot of the video of the durian feast with Rashid in a similar shirt (right).
Image via MalaysiakiniHowever, the deputy speaker said today, 30 June, that he had initially replied without first watching the video
"After my audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong [on Tuesday], only then I had the time to analyse the video involving me," he explained in the statement.
Rashid said he only later realised the video is of his visit to a local durian kampung farm that was impacted by the current MCO.
"When I arrived at the farm, the durian farm owner served us [durians]. I had a little bit while discussing with the farm owner on the measures of help that can be channelled," he said, adding that the feast took place after Zuraida's entourage left the same place for a work visit.
"After the discussion ended, I left the programme early as I had to return to Kuala Lumpur," he added, apologising again for his oversight and that he would cooperate with the police regarding the investigation into the video for breaking MCO standard operating procedures.
