RM50K fines reduced, but families still worried about quantum

 

Kota Bharu burger seller Wan Mohd Faisal Wan Kadir was issued with a RM50,000 fine on April 26 for operating beyond the permitted hours during the MCO. (Facebook pic)

KOTA BHARU: A burger seller, a “colek” seller and a sundry shop owner, who were slapped with a RM50,000 compound each, have been told that their fines will be reduced but they are still worried about the quantum they will have to pay.

Colek seller Mohd Azizi Mohd Nor, 42, when contacted, said he wanted the issue to be settled as soon as possible.

“What I can say is that I can only afford to pay RM1,000. A sum of RM50,000 or RM10,000 is far from what I can afford.

“Currently, what I’m worried about is going to jail, although my offence isn’t a criminal one,” he said, adding that he had yet to resume trading after the compound issue went viral a few days ago.

Nor Laili Shafii, the wife of burger seller Wan Mohd Faisal Wan Kadir, said she was glad to hear of the fine reduction.

However, she said they were still waiting for the health department to tell them of the actual amount they will have to pay.

“So far, they have not told us how much we will have to pay.

“We are happy that the police are reducing the fine as we certainly cannot afford RM50,000,” she said.

“If it is RM1,000, we will surely pay,” she told FMT.

Kelantan police chief Shafien Mamat in a statement today said the decision to reduce the fines was reached after discussions between police and the Kelantan health department yesterday.

He said Kelantan police will take action according to the guidelines on compound discounts set under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).

He said the state health department had the power to offer a reduced rate for the compound as outlined in the guidelines.

“Referring to the compounds dated April 26, which were issued to a burger seller, a ‘colek’ seller and a sundry shop owner, the health department has informed all the premises owners that the amount of the compound will be reconsidered as per the guidelines,” he said.

According to him, other individuals and premises that were issued compounds previously are advised to appeal to the state health department for discounts.

Shafien also reminded the public to comply with the standard operating procedures issued by the National Security Council to curb the spread of Covid-19. - FMT