The Umno man said he obtained the necessary visa from the proper channels and was given clearance by the immigration department.

Though unsure when exactly he will be returning, he told FMT that he will return before Parliament sits.

“I’ve got to quarantine for 14 days, so I will fly back at least 15 days before Parliament starts.

“There is nothing wrong. I know someone from Umno was trying to go overseas but couldn’t because he had a court case to settle. But I have clearance,” he said, declining to go further into details about his son.

On reports that he was going on “holiday” for two months, Nazri clarified that he was only joking when he said that.

Malaysiakini reported that Nazri’s son is five years old.

Under the movement control order (MCO), Malaysians are only allowed to leave the country if they are moving for work, studies, business meetings, emergencies or to accompany students moving for studies.

Previously, deputy federal territories minister Edmund Santhara courted controversy after he “disappeared” from the country. The Segamat MP later explained that he was allowed to go on leave for 55 days to be in New Zealand with his family, partly because his wife was ill.

The Segamat MP said he left for Auckland on Dec 23 and was quarantined until Jan 9. He returned in the middle of March this year.