(Sabah, 11th) A Sabahan businesswoman claims that during the COVID-19 pandemic, she was wrongly penalized for not being vaccinated. She has now filed a lawsuit in court against the government and former Health Minister Khairy.
Naomi, a 59-year-old from Ranau, filed a civil lawsuit today (June 11) in the Kota Kinabalu High Court, listing the Ranau District Council, the Ministry of Health, and Khairy as defendants, with Khairy having served as the Health Minister from August 2021 to November 2022.
In the statement of claim, Naomi states that in December 2021, enforcement officers issued her a fine for running her business without being vaccinated, causing her economic loss, reputational damage, and psychological trauma.
She stated that she was pressured at the time to get vaccinated just to be able to continue her business operations.
She added that she experienced "severe mental exhaustion, emotional distress, and trauma."
The Ministry of Health rescinded the fine issued on December 20, 2021, in February 2023, acknowledging a procedural error. In a letter dated February 17, 2023, the head of the Ministry's enforcement unit stated that the penalty was canceled due to a technical error in enforcement, and the case was referred back to the Sabah State Health Department for further handling. Subsequently, the Ranau District Council officially withdrew the fine in a letter to Naomi on March 8, 2023.
However, Naomi pointed out that the damage had already been done. Her vendor stall on the first floor of the Ranau Central Market was forced to close from September 2021 until it reopened in March 2023.
In court documents, she stated that during this period, she lost income, loyal customers, and public trust in her business. She is currently seeking compensation for 18 months of specific losses, as well as general and punitive damages, interest, and legal costs.
Naomi is represented by the law firm Priskila Akwila, and the court has scheduled the case to begin trial on July 14 this year.
Khairy, now a media personality and one of the hosts of the podcast "Keluar Sekejap",
Naomi, a 59-year-old from Ranau, filed a civil lawsuit today (June 11) in the Kota Kinabalu High Court, listing the Ranau District Council, the Ministry of Health, and Khairy as defendants, with Khairy having served as the Health Minister from August 2021 to November 2022.
In the statement of claim, Naomi states that in December 2021, enforcement officers issued her a fine for running her business without being vaccinated, causing her economic loss, reputational damage, and psychological trauma.
She stated that she was pressured at the time to get vaccinated just to be able to continue her business operations.
She added that she experienced "severe mental exhaustion, emotional distress, and trauma."
The Ministry of Health rescinded the fine issued on December 20, 2021, in February 2023, acknowledging a procedural error. In a letter dated February 17, 2023, the head of the Ministry's enforcement unit stated that the penalty was canceled due to a technical error in enforcement, and the case was referred back to the Sabah State Health Department for further handling. Subsequently, the Ranau District Council officially withdrew the fine in a letter to Naomi on March 8, 2023.
However, Naomi pointed out that the damage had already been done. Her vendor stall on the first floor of the Ranau Central Market was forced to close from September 2021 until it reopened in March 2023.
In court documents, she stated that during this period, she lost income, loyal customers, and public trust in her business. She is currently seeking compensation for 18 months of specific losses, as well as general and punitive damages, interest, and legal costs.
Naomi is represented by the law firm Priskila Akwila, and the court has scheduled the case to begin trial on July 14 this year.
Khairy, now a media personality and one of the hosts of the podcast "Keluar Sekejap",