KUCHING, March 16: The RM10,000 fine to punish those who breached Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) is excessive for ordinary public to pay.
Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Public Complaints Bureau (PCB) chief Wilfred Yap thus appealed to the federal government to review its decision to increase the fine from RM1,000 to RM10,000 for violators of the SOP.
“The sharp increase is too drastic, even though the purpose of RM10,000 fine is to induce people to abide by the Covid-19 SOP.
“The fine is excessive as it is too much for the ordinary public to pay, especially at a time of a sluggish and recovering economy when many are still struggling financially and where many have to withdraw their EPF (Employees Provident Fund) savings just to make ends meet,” he pointed out in a statement today.
In relation to this, Yap also urged the Ministry of Health (MOH) to come up with a comprehensive guideline on the circumstances or situation on how the discretionary power to reduce fines can be exercised by the District Health Department.
“Any individual issued with the RM10,000 compound for violating Covid-19 SOP can seek the assistance of the SUPP Public Complaints Bureau who shall try their best to appeal to the District Health Department Office to reduce the amount of the fine,” he advised.
On March 11 when the RM10,000 compound came into effect, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador was reported to have said that SOP offenders would be issued a RM10,000 compound notice, but it was up to the discretion of the authorised officers, namely the District Health Officers (PKD) to determine the actual value of the compound fine.
Meanwhile, Yap informed that the burst main water pipe at Loring 3, Jalan Stakan near Kota Sentosa Commercial Centre here has been repaired.
The Kuching Water Board (KWB) has acted immediately after SUPP PCB requested their assistance following complaints from the residents and business community about the burst main water pipe which caused great inconveniences to them.
“SUPP PCB always communicated to the relevant authorities for their immediate action to rectify any complaints.
“During our regular ‘turun padang’ activity, we are frequently approached by residents and the business community for assistance to carry out improvement and repair works to damaged infrastructure facilities like burst pipes, faulty street lighting, drains and roads,” he added.
The SUPP Public Complaints Bureau is always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone facing problems or who come across problems of public interest but does not know how to deal with it.
Anyone requiring assistance can always call SUPP Public Complaint Bureau’s mobile number at 016-7797688 or 082-246999 or go directly to SUPP Head Office to request for assistance. — DayakDaily
