A Total Of 330 People Were Fined RM10,000 Each For Violating MCO SOPs In A Day
The hefty compounds were issued under the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 that came into force on 11 March.
By Sadho Ram — 12 Mar 2021, 05:37 PM
Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) officers have issued a total of 330 RM10,000 compounds to people who violated the Movement Control Order (MCO) standard operating procedures (SOPs) since 11 March
RM10,000 compounds for 330 people comes at RM3,300,000.
The hefty compounds were issued under the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021
The Emergency Ordinance came into force yesterday itself.
In a press statement yesterday, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said the value of the compound for violating the MCO SOPs has been increased from RM1,000 to RM10,000.
IGP Abdul Hamid assured that the RM10,000 fine will only be enforced on repeat and stubborn offenders and not be used as a blanket penalty against the general public.
According to him, the decision to increase the value of the compound to RM10,000 was not to punish the public excessively or allow the government to collect money from them.
He explained that all fines related to SOP breaches issued will show an amount of RM10,000 on the summons, as this is part of the police's duty to note the maximum compound offered for such offences.
"The person issued with the fine will have two weeks to settle it, where the final amount will be decided by the district health officer at their respective district health offices," he told a press conference.
"So it is not a case of you automatically being required to pay RM10,000 once you receive the fine. These amounts are ultimately at the district health officer's discretion. The police are not out to punish anyone... We are just the messengers who enforce the law and issue the fine."
He also asked people to not worry about the RM10,000 fine, saying it's "better to worry about being infected with COVID-19" and that the compound is a "deterrent punishment".
