Takiyuddin: S.O.P. violators who don’t pay fines may be taken to court

KOTA BARU: Offenders may find themselves in the dock if they fail to settle the compounds imposed on them for breaching the Movement Control Order’s standard operating procedures (SOP).

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said legal action could be taken under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).

“I would like to remind offenders to pay the compounds imposed on them by the authorities, because if they fail to pay the fine, they can be taken to court,” he said.

Takiyuddin, who is Kota Baru member of parliament, said this after presenting Hari Raya Aidilfitri aid to imam, village heads and the district police’s club under the Kota Baru parliamentary constituency here yesterday.

Present were Bunut Payong assemblyman Datuk Dr Ramli Mamat and Kota Baru police chief Assistant Commissioner Abdul Rahim Daud.

He said the compounds were the last resort of the government to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Like what Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has said, enforcement officers must exercise compassion and empathy when issuing compounds.

“Enforcement agencies, such as the police, local municipal councils and other agencies, were given the authority to issue the fines according to the law.

“It is up to the public to make their assumptions.”

It was reported that three people in Kelantan, including a burger seller, were compounded RM50,000 each by the police for flouting the SOP by operating beyond the 10pm limit.

The two incidents had led to a public outcry on social media, with people urging the government to be compassionate when issuing fines, especially during Ramadan.

Reacting to this, Muhyiddin had said on Thursday that enforcement officers must use their discretion when issuing fines by taking offenders’ financial abilities into account.