Not enforcing law equally can send wrong message in Covid-19 fight — Don
KUCHING: The failure to enforce the law equally against those who fail to abide by the Recovery Movement Control Order standard operating procedures (SOP) could jeopardise the government’s efforts to combat Covid-19, says a senior law lecturer.
Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia Faculty of Syariah and Law senior lecturer Dr Muzaffar Syah Mallow said no one should be above the law and any individual who violates the SOP must face legal action.
“There can be no excuse for anyone not to follow the orders. If no equal treatment has been provided in enforcing the laws, it can send a wrong message to the public over the government’s seriousness to combat Covid19,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Muzaffar was commenting on the RM1,000-compound issued to Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali, for having violated the mandatory 14-day quarantine upon his arrival back in the country from Turkey last month.
Following a public uproar, the minister, who paid the fine, apologised for his action and said he would donate four months’ salary to the country’s Covid-19 fund.
Muzaffar meanwhile said that although the number of new Covid-19 cases in Malaysia had gone down in recent weeks, the people must not take things for granted as the number of cases globally continues to rise.
“Until today, there is no vaccine for this virus. Because of this, it is important for everyone to adhere to the orders given by the government to stop the spread of the virus.
“Full support and cooperation from everyone in the country is vital if we want to put an end to the threat of Covid-19,” he added.