COMMENT | In early October, a friend arrived in Kuala Lumpur from Melbourne and was tested for Covid-19. Although the test showed negative, she was whisked with a planeload of other Malaysians to a hotel to be quarantined.

Last month, a former colleague’s daughter and her toddler son who arrived from the United States had to endure the same experience - bus journey from the airport to a hotel where mother and son were holed up for 14 days. A few days later, another former colleague returned from London only to similarly tested negative and quarantined for 14 days.

They all understood the reasons and took it in their stride knowing that this was a requirement to prevent the spread of Covid-19. As law-abiding Malaysians, they complied with the order. Hundreds of locals who had come into contact with people who were confirmed as Covid-19 positive cases were ordered home quarantine. A few paid the price for not complying and paid fines after being charged in court.

It is as clear as daylight - a quarantine order is to stay put in one place instead of gallivanting around - even if it is your place of work or our favourite nasi kandar joint or even if your body yearns for a sojourn at the spa.

But yesterday, the requirements changed for selected people - members of parliament. Three MPs - Health Minister Adham Baba and Human Resources Minister M Saravanan, both from the ruling Perikatan Nasional coalition, and Pakatan Harapan’s P Prabakaran turned up in Parliament wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

Clad in white aprons with blue shower caps and visors, they were seated on...