Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak is worried that the government's decision to increase to RM10,000 the fine imposed on individuals who violate Covid-19 health SOPS will anger the people.
He suggested the fine be increased progressively saying the SOPs introduced by the government were also inconsistent.
Najib said that he actually supported that heavier punishments be imposed on those who violate the SOPs depending on the severity of the movement control order (MCO).
"I support a heavier punishment for those who violate the Covid-19 MCO SOPs but not all SOPs are equally serious and should not be treated the same.
"For less serious offences which involve people who may be committing them due to mistakes, the punishment needs to be for the purpose of educating them and should be raised progressively, not to bankrupt the people.
"This method of progressive punishment is adopted by several other countries and accepted by the people there because no one will sympathise with stubborn offenders who repeatedly violate SOPs," Najib wrote in a post on Facebook today.
For example, he said, the fine rate can be increased from RM1,000 to RM10,000 in stages.
Yesterday, it was announced that beginning March 11, people who violate movement control order (MCO) restrictions can expect stiffer penalties under emergency amendments to the legislation meant to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The amendments to the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) have been gazetted pursuant to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s emergency powers under Article 150(3) of the Federal Constitution.
Among others, the compound for offences under the act was raised from RM1,000 to RM10,000 for individuals and RM50,000 for companies.
After the amendments, if a case is brought to court, an offender is liable to a fine of up to RM100,000, imprisonment of up to seven years or both, unless a different penalty is specifically prescribed for the said offence.
Under the law that is currently in force, a compound may not exceed RM1,000.
The ordinance also states that companies or corporations that commit offences related to health SOPs can be fined up to RM50,000.
Najib also stressed that the SOPs introduced by the government should be consistent if the penalties to be imposed were heavy.
"SOPs should also be consistent and should not 'flip-flop' until enforcement officers and the citizens are dizzy.
"After the fines are raised, the people's anger will certainly increase if there is another double-standard between the punishment of ordinary people and the politicians," said Najib. - Mkini
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