SOP violators can appeal for lower compound, says minister

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PUTRAJAYA: Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) violators can appeal for a lower compound despite being issued with one that says RM10,000, says Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (pic).

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said offenders can appeal their case and seek a lower compound from officers at the Health Department.

“Yes, the compound issued states the amount is RM10,000 and you will be given time to make payment. During this time, those who have been fined can go to a district health office to make their case and appeal for a lower compound.

“This can be done as officers have discretionary powers to lower the amount to be paid by an offender, ” the de facto law minister told reporters here yesterday.

Beginning March 11, those who breach movement control order regulations may be fined up to RM10,000 under the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) Amendment Ordinance 2021.

Concurring with Takiyuddin was Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador, who said the police are only authorised to issue compounds, but the actual amount will be decided by the Health Ministry’s district health officers.“Police will issue compounds and the sum stated on them will be RM10,000 as it is based on the amended Emergency Ordinance.

“It will also be stated that you will be given 14 working days to settle the compound. People can still appeal to the district health officer for a lower amount.

“The police do not have the power to decide on the sum, whether it is RM10,000, RM5,000 or RM3,000... only RM10,000 will be on the notice.

“For example, if someone is fined for not wearing a face mask, he could appeal to the district health officer and the amount might be reduced to less than RM1,000 or even a few hundred ringgit.

“It is up to the district health officer’s discretion to set the actual amount based on various factors, including the severity of the case, ” he said in Bukit Aman on Thursday.

However, the IGP said police have recommended to the Health Ministry that a maximum amount is imposed on repeat offenders.

“The maximum fines are also meant for hardcore offenders who flout SOP, ” he said.

Abdul Hamid said he hopes the public would not panic when they see the sum on the compound.

“The increased fines are not meant to punish people or to enable the government to collect funds.

“The amendment is meant to remind people that the war against Covid-19 is far from over, ” he said.

As of yesterday, 330 people have been issued with RM10,000 compounds.

Meanwhile, an individual was issued with a RM10,000 compound for not scanning the QR code to register his details on the MySejahtera app at a restaurant in Bukit Jalil on Thursday.

The issue has gone viral on social media, where many claimed the man had actually registered his details using other means.

Cheras OCPD Asst Comm Mohamed Mokhsein Mohamed Zon said the compliance operation taskforce was at the restaurant at about 6.55pm and issued the compound notice to the said individual.

ACP Mohamed Mokhsein dismissed allegations that the individual had actually used other means to register his details.

“Allegations that the individual had supposedly registered using other means are not true, ” he added.