Students allegedly slapped with RM1,500 fine - MOH launches probe

 

The Perak State Health Department has launched an investigation into allegations that its officers had slapped an RM1,500 fine against matriculation students for breaching the Covid-19 SOP.

This followed a tweet by user @NabilAmirul4 on the alleged action by the officers. The tweet came with a picture of the alleged incident and a caption questioning the huge amount of fine.

"Perak matriculation students were in a lockdown for the whole semester but MOH entered the cafe (in the college) and slapped RM1,500 compound against them.

"Even our allowance for six months is only RM1,250," the tweet read.

Responding to the tweet by @NabilAmirul4, Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that the Perak Health Department launched an immediate investigation into the matter.

"The state Health Department has immediately probed the incident. Thank you for the complaint to MOH and this matter will be dealt with as soon as possible," Noor Hisham replied.

Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, in his tweet, also highlighted the incident and questioned the "double standard" in taking action against the public.

"If it's a student, no need for the investigation paper, immediately compound - we have many a time touched on the double standard implementation like this.

"Why can't you advise first before slapping a compound? What's so hard about it?" Syed Saddiq said.

Another Twitter user @ainurjannxh alleged that the incident took place on April 19 when MOH officers visited the Perak matriculation college to investigate food poisoning issues at one of the cafes there.

"My friend who had just finished class was walking towards the cafe. Because of the hot weather and he was walking down the stairs, he pulled down his face mask to catch his breath.

"Suddenly, one of the officers called him. Without a warning, the officer asked for his personal details and slapped an RM1,500 compound.

"(He) has to pay the fine in two weeks at Kampar Health Department, otherwise the case has to proceed to court," she said. - Mkini