Heavy RM50,000 fine for burger seller is 'uncompassionate', says Tok Mat

SEREMBAN: Authorities should be reasonable when issuing fines to those who violate Covid-19 standard operating procedures after reports emerged that a burger seller in Kelantan was slapped with a RM50,000 fine for operating beyond allowed hours.

Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said although the authorities needed to be firm, they must be fair and compassionate at the same time as the people are already reeling from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"A burger seller in Kota Baru was issued a RM50,000 compound just because he was operating beyond the set time limit in front of his own house.

"Just how will he be able to pay off that huge amount since he only sells burgers?

"For the B40 group like the burger seller, the fine must surely be a big burden," he said in a statement Tuesday (April 27).

Mohamad also said authorities should not be selective during enforcement and claimed, without elaborating, that other "influential and popular" individuals were given different treatment.

The burger seller from Kg Rambutan Rendang was issued the hefty compound on Sunday (April 25) for operating beyond 10pm, setting up tables and chairs for customers and failing to provide a temperature scanner.

Mohamad said the burger seller was actually a good example of an individual trying to earn an honest living through hard work.

"Similarly, students at a college in Perak were also issued compounds last week for not putting on their face masks properly when buying food.

"They are just hostel students who surely do not have the ability to pay the huge fines," he said.

He added that the people had already been suffering for some time and the authorities need not make it worse for them.