Call to ensure violations warrant stiffer compounds

KUALA LUMPUR: Members of the public believe that while heavier punishments on those who violate the standard operating procedures of the Movement Control Order (MCO) are warranted, the authorities should be objective when issuing the compounds.

Social activist Kumaran Subramoniam, 34, said compounds should be issued only when there was a clear-cut breach of the SOP and that the offender had no valid reason to break the rules.

“While heavier penalties can deter people from flouting the SOP, the authorities should also examine the violation made before a compound is issued.

“For instance, if someone was found gambling in an entertainment outlet, they obviously must be fined. But if someone briefly removes his face mask in a public place because he feels suffocated, then a compound would be unfair.”

Melissa Adlina Mohd Sharid, 27, who works in human resources, said the RM10,000 maximum compound for individuals was beyond the reach of most Malaysians. She said the authorities need to ensure that only legitimate offences were punished.

She cited a case in May last year, where a single mother who did not wear a face mask in public was jailed eight days and fined RM1,000 for flouting the SOP.

The incident triggered a severe backlash as the woman was allegedly at a near-remote area.

The uproar grew after comparisons with a politician’s daughter and son-in-law, who were fined RM800 each for ignoring the SOP by attending a meeting.

Azeera Agullana, 24, said it would be wise to examine whether heavier fines were an effective deterrent.

“What we need are actually clearer guidelines and consistent initiatives to educate the public, which would go further to elicit SOP compliance,” she said.

Public relations senior executive Sophiah Sallehuddin, 27, said the government should advocate more awareness on the need to continuously comply with SOP.

“Heftier compounds may not be the answer. What we need is more actions to educate and encourage the public to understand the severity of the virus and why it is crucial to heed the SOP.”