Najib: Cops forced to issue RM10k fine shows why Parliament debate important

 

Police being forced to issue RM10,000 fine for Covid-19 SOP violations shows why it is important to debate government orders in Parliament, said former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

This is after an RM10,000 fine was issued against an individual who failed to scan the MySejahtera QRcode using the MySejahtera app.

"The way the (emergency) ordinance is outlined by the government doesn't distinguish between offences that were unintentional or not serious such as forgetting to scan MySejahtera, or not wearing a face mask, and more serious offences such as violating mandatory quarantine or crossing state lines without permission.

"This is another example why government measures should be discussed and approved in the Dewan Rakyat first so that it is fairer for the people," Najib said in a Facebook post.

Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador yesterday said officers did not have the authority to choose how much to fine someone who doesn't follow Covid-19 SOPs, and hence must write the RM10,000 prescribed under the emergency ordinance.

However, he said those issued compounds can appeal for a lighter fine at a district health office.

He assured that the RM10,000 fine is only meant for repeat offenders.

Yesterday, Najib also poked fun at the new emergency ordinance for fake news.

"Fuh! A RM100,000 fine. Without being approved by Parliament," he said.

The fake news emergency ordinance, among others, provides for an RM100,000 fine, three-year imprisonment term or both, for the publication and distribution of “fake news” relating to Covid-19 or the emergency proclamation.

It also gives anyone found to have published “fake news” a 24-hour notice to take down the said post or be liable to an RM100,000 fine.

The ordinance bears many similarities to the Anti-Fake News Act that was introduced by Najib's administration in 2018. - Mkini