Covid-19: Proposed RM1mil maximum compound over breach of SOP will derail economic recovery efforts, says business community

PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry's proposed maximum compound of RM1mil for businesses guilty of breaching Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) is too punitive and will derail economic recovery efforts, says the business community.

Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai said small businesses would be hurt by amendments to the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1998 (Act 342), which once passed in Parliament, would see companies and organisations that flout Covid-19 SOP stand to be fined a maximum of RM1mil for compoundable offences.