Violating SOP: Govt to evaluate the need to increase compound amount

PARLIAMENT | The government will study the need to increase the compound in cases where the Covid-19 prevention standard operating procedures (SOPs) have been violated, including by government leaders.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof (above) told the Dewan Rakyat this when answering a question on the rakyat’s unhappiness over the compound amount levelled against lawmakers and other leaders in breaching the SOP for safety against the virus.

The de facto special functions minister was responding to a supplementary question today from Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz (PAS-Bachok).

“In view of the complaints by the people unhappy with the maximum compound, which is seen as low compared to the wrongdoing… including by government leaders, is the ministry going to draft a law to ensure stricter enforcement during post-recovery SOP?” asked Nik Abduh.

Mohd Redzuan told the Parliament that the government was constantly monitoring the situation to ensure compliance with current regulations.

“The SOPs will be tightened and we will have frequent meetings at ministerial and committee levels to ensure the SOPs are fine-tuned.

“For example, if the compound value should be raised to ensure we are more sensitive to current situations... this will be checked. We will decide and announce to the people,” the minister, who is the Alor Gajah MP, said.

This comes in the wake of the mere RM1,000 fine levelled against Perikatan Nasional Minister Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali (above) for violating the mandatory two-week home quarantine order upon returning from his trip to Turkey in July.

RM1,000 is, however, the maximum fine provided for under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) against those who breach regulations and the Home Surveillance Order (HSO).

It was recently revealed that Khairuddin, the Kuala Nerus MP and plantation industries and commodities minister, had returned from Turkey on July 7 but was spotted at several events, including the Parliament session on July 13.

This raised concern over possible double standards in the application of the law after several members of the public were hauled into court and handed more severe punishment, also for violating the home quarantine order.

This included a restaurant owner linked to the Sivagangga Covid-19 cluster, who was issued a compound of RM1,000 on July 23 before being charged in court on Aug 13 and was fined RM12,000 and jailed five months.

An elderly woman was jailed one day and fined RM8,000 after pleading guilty to breaching her home quarantine by going out to eat.

Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah had explained that police are still investigating Khairuddin.

Aside from Nik Abduh, the matter was also repeatedly raised in the Dewan Rakyat today by other opposition lawmakers.

To a question from Mahfuz Omar (Harapan-Pokok Sena) on the perceived double standard, which the latter likened to a 1960s film 'Antara Dua Darjat' by acting legend P Ramlee on differing social classes, Mohd Redzuan reiterated that Khairuddin was compounded based on the current rule of law.

"If we see today, the government abides by the law.

“There are no two classes... if we see, the minister involved already paid the compound, according to the law.

"If there is a need to raise the compound, we must ensure there are returns in helping to curb the spread of Covid-19," Mohd Redzuan added. - Mkini