PETALING JAYA，Mar 3: The fine for breaking Covid-19 rules is not fixed at RM10,000, says de facto law minister Takiyuddin Hassan.
In a live stream press conference, Takiyuddin said the fines actually range from RM100 to RM10,000, depending on the seriousness of the offence.
“The authorities will use their discretion, there are guidelines,” he said, although these are not stated in the Emergency Ordinance.
Takiyuddin said the RM10,000 fines for individuals and RM50,000 for companies would be for “bigger cases”, citing nightclubs as an example.
“Nightclubs are not allowed to open (during the movement control order) but if there are operators who open and people go (and patronise them), then these offences are very serious. These kinds of offences are the ones that can get a heavier fine.
“The act says fines not exceeding RM10,000. The higher fine is a preventive measure for those who breach SOPs in the context of us combating the pandemic.”
He said that before the amendment under the Emergency Ordinance, the amount for fines under Act 342 was not stated. This meant that the enforcers had to refer to Section 37 of the Interpretation Act.
Under this act, if a section does not state the amount, then it is assumed that it should be no more than RM1,000.
Takiyiddin also justified the proclamation of the emergency, saying it was necessary as laws to curb the spread of Covid-19 could be enacted and approved by the King in a matter of days, while passing them in Parliament would take longer.
He also announced that some 4,000 additional officers from local councils and the Road Transport Department (JPJ) have been given the power to enforce Covid-19 SOPs.
He said the National Security Council (MKN) decided to mobilise them to assist the police, army and Rela in enforcing SOPs, and they will use their discretion to advise people rather than issue fines if the offence is not that serious.
