The incident is believed to have happened at the Perak Matriculation College in Gopeng yesterday, where ministry officials investigated claims of food poisoning at a cafe and fined students for not wearing masks.

“The Perak health department has launched an immediate investigation,” said health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah in a tweet.

“Thank you for your complaint to the health ministry and this matter will be dealt with as soon as possible,” he said in response to a tweet by @NabilAmirul4, who posted a photo of the alleged incident and questioned the fine.

“Even our allowance for six months is only RM1250,” said @NabilAmirul4.

Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has also highlighted the alleged incident and asked why officials did not first launch an investigation into the matter.

“If it’s a student, there’s no need to open investigation papers. They are immediately compounded,” he said. “We have talked about this double standard many times. What’s wrong with advising them first before compounding them?”

Separately, Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the party will be providing free legal aid for the students and will help them appeal the fine with the health ministry.