MIRI, March 15: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) is of the opinion that the fines up to RM10,000 on individuals and up to RM50,000 on companies for flouting Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) are worrying, heavy, punitive in nature and excessive.
“The feedback we received from the ground are that the people are very unhappy and upset with the announcement made by federal government,” said SUPP secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting Chew Yew in a statement today.
He said most Sarawakians felt that the federal government should guide them through these difficult and challenging times instead of imposing hefty fines for non-compliance with SOPs, pointing out that the violations sometimes occurred unintentionally.
“Most people are of the opinion and SUPP agrees with them that it is most unfair and harsh for people who forgot to register with the MySejahtera application when entering a premises to be fined up to RM10,000 when compared to other offenses such as failing to put on a seat belt which incurs a RM120 fine while driving offences incur a RM300 fine only.
“Furthermore, the RM10,000 fine on individuals is excessive to everyone especially to the middle and lower income group.
“There are many who are earning a monthly minimum wage of RM 1,200 and for them to be hit with the previous RM1,000 fine is already the last straw for them, what more to sayRM 10,000 each.”
Ting opined that the heavier fines will only bring more hardship and cause furore rather than guiding the offender to follow the SOPs.
“We are with the people and SUPP has formed a legal team throughout Sarawak, led by Michael Tiang, SUPP Youth Central Chairman with the objective of assisting those who have received such summons to determine whether those summonses were correctly issued and if so, will help to appeal for a reduction in fine or at last resort, where necessary to challenge such summons and represent them in court,” he added.
He added the Inspector General of Police had mentioned that even though the amount of RM10,000 had been written on a summons, the final amount will be decided by the district health officer.
Thus, he added, people can still present and appeal their case to the health officers for appropriate reduction.
“With such announcements by the Inspector General of Police, we are looking forward to working closely with the police and the health officers in all the divisions throughout Sarawak,” Ting added.
He said that SUPP fully supports the announcement by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also the chairman of the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee, that Sarawak is mulling whether to follow the federal government on the issue of increase in fines for SOP violations.
“Indeed, our Sarawak Government should seek exemption of imposition of such fines in Sarawak,” Ting said.
“Let us all be united in the fight against this Covid-19 pandemic and please kindly consider to register yourself for Covid 19 vaccination,” he concluded. — DayakDaily
