SIBU, Dec 24: A total of 819 compounds amounting to RM1 million were issued to SOP (standard operating procedure) violators this year.
Sibu Crime Prevention and Community Safety Division head, DSP Ariffin Baha, said that of the total amount, RM300,000 remain unpaid by 68 violators as of December 23.
Speaking at a Kita Jaga Kita community programme organised by Sibu Municipal Council via Zoom, he said the integrated SOP monitoring team led by the police took no pride in issuing such a large number of compounds.
“We don’t feel proud, and it is not our aim as the SOP enforcement body to go against SOP violators. We implement the issuance of compounds to educate the people to follow the SOP set by the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC),” he said.
DSP Ariffin said the team had also been reminding eateries to strictly follow the SOPs, such as a limited number of customers are allowed inside at one time in accordance with the size of their premises.
“My team will continue to monitor those on the negative list, including entertainment centres like pubs and lounges. Owners of these centres caught operating will be compounded together with their customers,” he warned.
DSP Ariffin urged the people to continue observing the SOPs, such as wearing face masks at public places, keeping physical distance, and avoiding crowded places.
He also advised the people to get clarification from SDMC before sharing any viral news as action can be taken under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA) for spreading fake news.
Meanwhile, Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Clarence Ting said the council enforcement officers and the police, Rela members, and Health department enforcement officers are starting to show signs of exhaustion.
“They are very tired, but they still need to guide the people as health is of top priority,” said Ting.
Ting also advised the people to continue to do self-testing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. — DayakDaily
