PETALING JAYA: Veteran singer Datuk Jamal Abdillah (pic) has apologised after courting flak for flouting Covid-19 guidelines at a durian feast.

       He said he was present at the gathering after a few friends had invited him and he was just trying to be "sporting".

       According to a report by Harian Metro, Jamal explained that he was seen in a video eating durians while singing karaoke at a farm in Bidor, Perak, because he was invited by a few friends.

       Jamal said he was present at Kampung Poh in Bidor because he wanted to purchase fertilisers for his fish pond business at Bukit Merah.

       "So happened it was durian season and my friends at the orchard invited me to eat some durian.

       "I was afraid to reject them because they might get offended and think that I'm arrogant. So, I stopped by for a moment.

       "There was a karaoke set over there. So while I was eating, I sang a song because I already ate for free and it felt awkward if I wasn't going to belt out a few tunes, though I'm not a regular in karaoke," he was quoted as saying.

       He also took the opportunity to apologise to all Malaysians.

       "I apologise to every Malaysian. Whether I'm wrong or not, I still want to apologise because I should have been aware of the SOPs and the current Covid-19 situation.

       "I hope others out there would not repeat my mistake," he was quoted as saying.

       Jamal explained that throughout Bidor, Tapah and Gopeng, he had friends who own durian orchards and they have always invited him over for durians.

       "I had to take care of my friends' feelings. I felt kind of guilty. Nevertheless, I have given my statement at the Tapah police station on Sunday (June 27) evening and this matter is currently under investigation.

       "The police have also visited the place to conduct investigations," he said, adding that a fine was given by police to his friends who were involved.

       Jamal also said he was granted a permission letter to travel interstate to acquire fertilisers for his fish pond business because the fish which he cared for needed to be monitored at all times and fed well.