WITH many quarters livid over the hefty RM10,000 fine for COVID-19 standard operating procedure breach (SOP) violation, a labour activist has joined the chorus and voiced objection over it.
“Just stop this immediately. The Government should not be too happy penalising our already-suffering rakyat while VIPs get preferential treatment.
“The people are watching you and they will show their displeasure at the ballot box,” UNI-Malaysia Labour Centre (UNI-MLC) president Datuk Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal told FocusM.
Initially fixed at RM1,000, the Government decided to hike up the penalty for breaching SOPs to RM10,000 under the Emergency Ordinance (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021.
Under the legislation, a company can be fined RM50,000 as well for SOP breaches.
However, many have voiced frustration over the massive fine, with reports that several beggars in Sabah were also slapped with the compound for SOP breach.
Following the public outcry, Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had announced on March 16 that the Government would detail out the violations, in order to clear any confusion of the matter.
Unimpressed by Ismail Sabri’s statement, Shafie said that he had received numerous complaints from individuals and enterprises complaining about the hefty compound rate.
Gov’t agencies lack coordination
“What is your objective and direction here? Many have lost their jobs or had their salaries cut due to the pandemic and yet you to want to impose a massive fine on them.
“And what about the double standards practiced, where VIPs get away scot-free for SOP violations? Don’t get too happy punishing the already-suffering public,” he retorted.
Training his guns against the National Security Council (NSC), Shafie said that it seems even the Government is confused on how to go about filing an appeal for the compounds issued.
Earlier, authorities have said that those fined can file an appeal at their respective district health office. However, the latter have issued a statement saying they have no authority to entertain such appeals.
“The problem is that our Government agencies lack coordination with one another. The left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing,” he opined.
Shafie then reminded the Government that it should not simply harass its citizens using unjust means when everyone is making sacrifices during this unprecedented time.
“The NSC should come out and explain all this. What is important now is not penalising but raising awareness of the public on the importance of adhering to SOP,” he remarked. – March 20, 2021.
