Mixed opinions over higher fines for SOP violators

KUCHING: The impending imposition of higher fines on those found to be violating the standard operating procedures (SOP) set to curb the spread of Covid-19 has received mixed public reactions.

Effective March 11, anyone flouting the SOP could be fined up to RM10,000; if the offender was a company or a corporation, the fine could amount to RM50,000.

This is based on the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, as stated on a federal government gazette uploaded onto the official online portal of the Attorney General's (AG) Chambers yesterday.

For Kevin Nila Christopher Nangai, he viewed the imposition of such high fines as being ‘too harsh', especially with Covid19 pandemic having adversely affected many livelihoods.

“Most people would not be able to pay the fine, and they might end up in jail.

“Forever would this person carry on his IC (identification card) the indication of that person being an ex-convict; forever would they be subjected to discrimination (in the community).

“In my opinion, stronger enforcement of the SOP is the best way to control and ensure that the people would comply with the SOP.

“More uniformed personnel should be deployed at areas such as malls, supermarkets and eateries to ensure that physical distancing is adhered to. The reason why people do not care about the SOP is the lack of such enforcement,” opined the 46year-old assistant manager.

From her perspective, marketing executive Catohrinner Joyce Guri regarded the fine amounts as being ‘too unrealistic and expensive', and also ‘a burden' to the people.

“We know that it is a way of educating some ‘stubborn members of society'; still, of so many ways out there, imposing expensive fine is not a way to punish a person.

“People are losing jobs (during this time) and have less to spend. They might be stressful about the situation, and this could only bring more harm to society,” said the 32-year-old.

On the other hand, Paul Liew believed that despite being seen as ‘too harsh' by some, higher fines seemed necessary in controlling the present situation, which he saw as ‘having gone out of control'.

Nonetheless, he also suggested that there should be categories of fine amounts to match the severity of each offence.

“During these uncertain economic times, not many can afford to pay any fine even if it's supposed to serve as a lesson to those who violated the SOP.

“I think there's a need to see the types of offences that they have committed.

“For an individual not wearing a mask, RM1,000 should be a justified minimal fine amount, while having a gathering, the maximum fine to be imposed could be RM10,000. “For company, the penalty for non-compliance with the SOP could be within a range of RM10,000 to RM50,000,” said the 48-year-old sales manager.

For Gabriellia Hazel, she personally thought that the RM10,000 fine was ‘too expensive, considering the fact that the world is in the midst of this pandemic'.

“The RM1,000 fine for an individual who breaches the SOP is already high enough, but RM10,000?

“I suppose that this is done to serve as a lesson to those violating the SOP so that they would think twice before breaching any of them.

“After all, the government needs public cooperation in curbing the spread of Covid-19,” said the 23-year-old hotelier.

On the other end of the spectrum, Judith Goh said such hefty fines for flouting the SOP should have been implemented a long time ago.

“People seem to be too relaxed in their attitude towards Covid19. They always think that the virus would not get them; they think they'd be fine just because they don't show any symptom.

“These inconsiderate people are the ones causing the numbers to spike by going all over the place and holding gatherings. It (hefty fines) would teach them a lesson once and for all,” said the 42-yearold web administrator.

However, Goh also acknowledged ‘some grey areas' in some cases.

“For example – the wearing of face masks. Even though this pandemic has been going on for nearly a year, some people are still not used to wearing masks whenever they go out, especially the older folk. Some may have left theirs in the cars when they go shopping.

“I think in such cases, there should be a degree of leniency, depending on the reasons given,” she added.

Sharing Goh's sentiment about the hefty fines being ‘a long overdue move', Nadiatul Rowina Shamsul observed that despite having gone through wave after wave of infections, many people had failed to learn from such experience and continue to violate the SOP.

“In my opinion, the government needs to be stricter,” said the 39-year-old, who is self-employed.

Nadiatul Rowina also stressed upon the implementation of such hefty fines to be across the board – covering every strata of society, regardless of whether they were ordinary citizens, prominent business folk, or politicians.

“It doesn't matter whether people can afford to pay the fines or not.

“If they're afraid to part with their hard-earned money, then they should abide by the SOP and remind everyone else around them to do the same.

“Money lost could be earned back; a life lost, is one gone forever.

“The hefty fines for those violating the SOP must apply the same standards to all – there must never be any excuse for anyone, just like how Covid19 doesn't differentiate the rich people and those in the B40 group from society; neither does it differentiate the young and the old groups from the population,” she said.