UNREASONABLE TO IMPOSE RM10,000 FINE FOR SOP VIOLATORS – LOCAL CITIZENS
- Wartawan Nabalu News
- Feb 26, 2021
- 3 min read
26 Feb 2021
By Ilona Andrew
KOTA KINABALU: Local citizens have expressed dissatisfaction over the increase of fine for Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) violators – which will take effect on March 11 – from a painstaking RM1,000 to a blow in the pocket of RM10,000, calling the new regulation ‘unreasonable.
The new regulation is stipulated for the prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic based on the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 through a Federal Government gazette uploaded on the official portal of the Attorney General’s Chambers yesterday.
Doreen Koh, a 57-year-old housewife from Membakut, said the amount of compound at RM10,000 is a bit too much especially when everyone is struggling financially due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We understand that it is imposed so that citizens are fearful of breaking SOP, but RM10,000 is an absurd amount.
“And there have been cases where compounds were issued by police officers for small and silly mistakes, such as the one incident involving eight Tenom folks who were each fined RM1,000 for traveling in a ‘pirate’ 13-seater van that was carrying more than the permitted 50 per cent capacity to buy food and medicine, when they could have just given verbal advice or warning,” she told Nabalu News.
RM1,000 is already so much for a regular citizen, not to mention ten times fold of that amount, she asserted.
“The government can raise the compound but be reasonable with the amount. I suggest RM2,000 to RM5,000 only, and the fine should be issued for absolutely reasonable offences only,” she pointed out.
Another citizen, Noor Azean Fazeera not only deemed the new regulation as unreasonable, but she said it is also troublesome for certain reasons.
“The higher authorities should be tolerable towards small mistakes instead of directly issuing fine, and RM10,000 is not a small amount.
“I would agree if the compounds were issued for offences which involve gathering activities, that is if they fail to comply with the SOPs, such as observing social distancing.
“Even at this current moment, social activities are only held among close friends and family who live nearby, which is permissible,” said the 26-year-old tuition teacher who hailed from Tambunan.
According to Azean, such heavy punishment however can be imposed on companies, eatery outlets or supermarkets involving large crowds that violate the SOPs and indirectly threaten the health of many.
“The RM10,000 fine may be the government’s way to terrify the citizens so that they would always adhere to the SOPs, which is fine to me, but there must be clear whys,” she affirmed.
While he doesn’t agree with the new regulation like many others, Jostinus Razan, 32, opined that the public should play a pivotal role to be aware of the SOPs in order to help curb the spread of Covid-19.
“Considering the deteriorating state of the economy in our country, I don’t really agree for SOP violators to be fined RM10,000 without any strong reason.
“And if they (the government) must impose such compound, the ‘double standard’ practice among higher authorities, particularly among ministers, must be halted,” he said.
However, the Kiulu resident quipped that local citizens, at the same time, must make an effort to read more and obtain valid information on the latest SOPs.
“After all, we are the ones who should be united in this battle to ensure the nation can win the battle against Covid-19.”
For Kevin Noel, 23, he said the increase of compound would only worsen the prevailing economic gap and open more opportunities for abuse, bribery, and double standards.
“If a student like me was forced to pay that amount, how do I find the money? If I am desperate, I would commit theft just to save myself,” he said half-jokingly, adding that the amount is over-punishing.
“I think RM1,000 suffices, considering our economic state now,” he said.
The youth from Papar stated that there are other ways to ensure citizens take the Covid-19 preventive measures seriously, such as coming up with awareness campaigns to educate the public.
The Government had gazetted the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021 which was promulgated as a proactive measure to contain the Covid-19 pandemic in Malaysia.
The 18-provision ordinance was gazetted on Jan 14 after it was promulgated by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
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