KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 56 politicians have been arrested for violating standard operating procedures (SOP) since the Covid-19 pandemic began in March last year, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin (pic).

       Of that number, Hamzah said only one was charged in court while a total of 22 compound notices were issued.

       He added that 25 cases are still under investigation and eight cases have been classified as No Further Action (NFA).

       "Starting from March 18, 2020 until Aug 25 this year, a total of 56 politicians were arrested fr offences related to SOP violations," Hamzah said in a written Parliamentary reply dated Sept 22.

       He had been asked by Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (IND-Muar) on the current number and status of investigations into all of the politicians alleged to have violated SOP during the movement control order (MCO) imposed nationwide.

       Syed Saddiq said among them were allegations of politicians at a dinner party, dining in at eateries and not wearing face masks in public places.