KUALA LUMPUR – The government is now offering discounts of up to 50% to offenders of movement control order (MCO) standard operating procedures (SOPs), if they are paid within one week.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said this decision was made after a cabinet meeting today.
“An individual or company that is fined or compounded a certain amount, if they are paid within one to seven days, they will automatically receive a 50% discount.”
He said, for example, if someone does not wear a mask, he or she will be fined RM1,500, but the individual would only need to pay RM750 if the fine is settled within a week.
He added that the discount will be at 25% if the fines are settled within 14 days.
Takiyuddin said those who are poor or disabled can also appeal the compound amount.
“For example, in Labuan, appeals can be made to three categories of officials – state health director, state deputy health director (public health) and the health officer of epidemiology.”
He said in the peninsula, offenders can make an appeal to the same three ranks of officials, with the addition of the district health director.
“Only these officers are allowed to give (discounts) more than what has been announced.”
Takiyuddin said the cabinet had also agreed, based on advice from the Health Ministry, to divide the offences under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) into three categories.
The first category involves offences that bring high risk of infections and could have a wide-scale impact on the community.
The second involves a high risk of infections but would likely not have a large impact on the community, while the third is of low-risk of transmissions with no impact on the community.
He said among the offences are failing to comply with the orders of an authorised health official, which will subject violators to a RM5,000 fine.
For the offence of patronising night clubs or pubs, offenders could face a maximum RM10,000 fine, while business owners of the premises could be hit by a maximum RM50,000 fine. – The Vibes, March 17, 2021
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