The Movement Control Order is still being implemented in states such as Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Johor until 4 March. In his daily press conferences, Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob usually addresses individuals who are still violating MCO SOPs on a daily basis.
Starting 11 March 2021, anyone who’s caught violating MCO SOPs can be fined up to RM10,000. This is based on the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, through a federal government gazette uploaded to the official online portal of the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) yesterday (25 February).
The ordinance also stated that companies or corporations that commit offences related to SOP can be fined up to RM50,000. The government had gazetted the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021 which was first introduced as a proactive measure to control the Covid-19 pandemic in Malaysia.
Previously, Rule 3 (1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures in Local Infected Areas) Regulations 2020, provided for a maximum sentence of six months imprisonment and a fine of up to RM1,000 or both.
Some of the offences that constitute a compound include:
Failure to wear face masks
Failure to practice physical distancing
Business premises that don’t prepare devices that record customer details
Unauthorised interstate or interdistrict travelling
Unauthorised activities in entertainment centres (pub, bar, etc)
In the ordinance, it also includes amendments to the general penalty under Section 24 and states that any person who commits an offence under the aforementioned Act, for which no penalty is expressly provided, faces a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment and a fine of RM100,000
Let us know what you think about this fine increase for SOPs violation!
