By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Oct 25: Once the motion to annul the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) Ordinance 2021 is passed in Parliament, the RM10,000 fine for individuals and RM50,000 fine for establishments breaking Covid-19 related preventive measures are no longer in effect.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Dato Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar who tabled the amendment in Parliament in Kuala Lumpur today, said the Ordinance was gazetted on Feb 25, 2021 and came into force on March 11, 2021.
The amendment was passed early this year to allow for more stringent enforcement so that Covid-19 preventive measures may be more effectively implemented.
This February amendment involving the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 [Act 342] raised the applicable fines for infringement from RM1,000 to RM10,000 for individuals and RM50,000 for establishments.
Wan Junaidi’s annulment motion today, once approved, will overturn the amendment, where the fine under Act 342 will revert to a maximum of RM1,000.
This amendment which marks a huge reduction in fines is expected to be received well by the public as the fines have been much debated since March with those slapped with it crying foul over the sum or pleading inability to pay. — DayakDaily
