Defence Minister, Ismail Sabri, appeared on the TV1 programme, Bicara Naratif at 9pm tonight (18 December) to clarify matters concerning the SOPs involving the MCO, RMCO, CMCO and EMCO.
During the discussion, the minister was asked about issues involving the compounds issued by PDRM and the National Security Council (MKN) as there were some instances where citizens were questionably fined such as when a man was fined RM1,000 for not wearing a mask when standing outside his home alone.
“Sometimes when the SOPs are not that detailed, they can be interpreted differently,” said Ismail Sabri. He then gave an example of the initial two-person per car limit that was placed during the early stages of the MCO. He said “if a married couple wants to go out, they can’t leave their young children at home alone. But if they decide to bring their children with them, then there are four people in the car and that violates the SOP.”
“When that happens and they are fined, technically it’s not their (the authorities) fault because the police are just doing what the law says. Hence, this is why the police have to exercise discretion and consider the situation carefully before they enact their authority,” said the Defence Minister.
Giving another example of unclear SOPs, Ismail Sabri brought up the issue of whether a mask was required when filling up petrol at the station. “We (MKN) said that when you enter the petrol station premise, you have to follow the SOPs and this includes wearing masks.
But ‘premise’ could mean just the petrol mart or the entire petrol station including the kiosks if interpreted differently.” He then said the SOP had to be elaborated to clarify that those who only pump petrol alone using a credit card without coming into contact with others don’t have to wear masks. He added that the council could have been “more detailed about defining what was meant by ‘premise'”.
In addressing the most recent issue about the man who was fined RM1,000 outside his home, the Defence Minister said, “I said it’s mandatory to put on face masks only in crowded public places. I understand that in the National Security Council’s SOPs it might say just public places without emphasis on the ‘crowded’ part but that’s when we need to enact discretion.”
“Action must only be taken after considering the situation fully. If you’re in the market, you obviously have to wear a mask because it’s crowded. But if you do happen to be in a market alone and it’s just you there, then wearing a mask is not necessary. This is why discretion is so important and must be enacted by authorities,” he said.
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Also read: Defence Minister: CMCO In Selangor & KL Extended From 20 December to 31 December
