The government will amend laws to impose stiffer penalties on those who violate regulations in place to stop the spread of Covid-19.
In a pre-recorded televised address today, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said that this approach was necessary to avoid a total lockdown of the economy.
Among others, the new rules will allow the government to shut down businesses that do not follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs), take legal action against business owners and penalise main or subcontractors.
The government also intends to increase fines for repeat offenders and jail violators for certain offences.
This will require amendments to the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 by means of the Emergency Ordinance.
Currently, the maximum compoundable offence is RM1,000 under Section 25 of the Act and jail terms for other offences with no specific penalty stipulated.
However, the latest regulation under this Act states that the maximum penalty is a fine of RM1,000, a six-month jail term or both.
Under the state of emergency, the government can propose to amend existing laws by means of an ordinance, which only needs the approval of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, instead of having to go through Parliament.
Parliament can repeal these ordinances when it eventually convenes.
Muhyiddin said that the government was also in the midst of amending the Workers' Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 to enhance enforcement efforts.
The Human Resources Ministry will be given more powers, he said, without elaborating further.
On the role of private hospitals, Muhyiddin said 31 private hospitals were involved in the decanting of non-Covid-19 patients from public hospitals.
Private hospitals are also proposing to provide 1,344 normal beds and 65 intensive care beds for Covid-19 patients.
The Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021 would also be used to take over National Service and Kem Wawasan facilities as temporary detention centres for foreigners without proper travel papers, Muhyiddin added. - Mkini
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