Jail time and higher fines for repeat SOP offenders

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians who flout the standard operating procedure could face stiffer fines or even jail time for their actions after the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 is amended.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Emergency Management Technical Committee had looked into provisions in the law that could be amended to allow stricter and swifter enforcement of Covid-19 SOP.

“Enforcement must be enhanced to ensure adherence to SOP.

“It is crucial to follow the SOP at workplaces, workers’ quarters, business premises and factories to break the chain of Covid-19 infections, ” he said in a special address yesterday.

Other than stiffer penalties for repeated violators, businesses will also be ordered to close immediately and legal action taken against owners, franchise holders and operators.

Muhyiddin said civil servants, including department heads, would also face disciplinary action if they failed to follow the “work from home” policy.

Amendments will be made to the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 to require employers to provide safer and more conducive living conditions for their workers.

Muhyiddin also said that police powers would be extended to the Armed Forces to allow them to arrest, examine and seize items from illegal immigrants under the Emergency Ordinance (Essential Powers) 2021.

He said this was being done to help other agencies stop illegal entry at the country’s borders.

Additionally, three million personnel from the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) will help enforcement officers monitor SOP adherence at business premises and public areas.

“The government will be implementing empowerment programmes involving community leaders to lead Covid-19 prevention campaigns, ” he said.

The Prime Minister also called for a stop to baseless accusations over the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah’s recent Emergency declaration which he said was aimed at containing the rapid spread of Covid-19.

“The government received the approval from the King after he was satisfied that the Covid-19 pandemic in the country was at a critical level and required implementation of an emergency in line with the Cabinet’s decision, ” he explained.

He said there was no other reason for the King’s Emergency declaration except to contain the spread of Covid-19 more effectively and protect the lives of the rakyat.

“Although there is a small group who is challenging the declaration in court, I believe that the King, as head of the country, is very understanding and respectful of the nation’s legal process, ” he added.

Muhyiddin also reiterated his commitment to advise the King to dissolve Parliament when the Covid-19 situation eased to allow the general election to be held safely.