Umno, PKR and Amanah are the latest parties to announce that they will be offering legal aid to people who feel they have been unfairly fined RM10,000 for violating movement control order (MCO) rules.
This was amid confused implementation after the government's decision to hike the fine from RM1,000 to RM10,000 came into force last Thursday (March 11).
The increased fine was intended for repeat offenders but enforcers say they are required by law to impose the maximum fine on everyone and an appeal for a lower sum can be made later. However, no proper mechanism for appeals is in place.
This led to public outrage, prompting various political parties to rope in their legal eagles to help complainants.
Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the party is cognisant of the public complaints.
"Even though in principle, Umno Youth supports the government's effort to more strictly enforce the standard operating procedures in curbing the spread of Covid-19, but the compound sum is excessive.
"It is a huge burden on the people, at a time when they are already struggling to survive," he said in a statement.
As such, Asyraf said Umno Youth will be offering free legal aid to those who were slapped with a hefty fine for minor offences and feel they have been victimised.
"The offer encompasses legal advice and legal representation to the Health Ministry to appeal for a lower compound for MCO violations," he said.
He added the services will be made available online and through hotlines.
Meanwhile, Johor PKR chief Jimmy Puah, a lawyer by training, said he and his legal colleagues will also be offering similar services to Johoreans for free.
Puah said there was nothing wrong with enforcing the law but said the implementation was unreasonable.
He suggested that the emergency ordinance should clearly define the quantum of fines for repeat offenders instead of a blanket fine of RM10,000 for everyone and requiring them to appeal later on.
"For example, for the first offence, it can be RM1,000, then RM3,000 for the second, RM5,000 for the third and RM10,000 for subsequent offences," he said in a statement.
Concurrently, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu also announced the party's legal bureau has begun offering legal services to those who have been slapped with the RM10,000 fine.
Yesterday, DAP also announced that they have assembled teams of lawyers to help address complaints about the fine.
The government has acknowledged the problem and is promising a solution soon. - Mkini
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