MIRI - For most huge companies, paying a RM10,000 fine for flouting the standard operating procedures (SOPs) may be pocket change hence, hardly a deterrent to the non-adherence.
Sarawak Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also an advisor of the state Disaster Management Committee (DMC), said the fine should be higher as these companies raked in huge profits.
He was commenting on the Covid-19 outbreak in a sawmill in Kuala Baram, 25km north of here, involving 125 foreign workers and six locals two days ago.
The sawmill was found to have violated the SOPs by having too many workers at the workplace which triggered an outbreak.
The Miri division of the DMC has since imposed a RM10,000 fine against the company.
All the infected workers have been taken to Miri Hospital for treatment and health units are carrying out screening and tracing the close contacts of the infected workers.
“That Cluster Industry 121 in Kuala Baram is not the first such outbreak and will not be the last,” Dr Sim said in his social media comments.
“It shows that all we is just need one irresponsible individual or company to jeopardise the whole National Recovery Plan.
In a public health crisis, the public should have the right to know the name and location of the offending culprits. The company’s privacy is not important.
He, therefore, called on all enforcement agencies to be more alert.
“Enforcement can’t depend on the Health Department alone as its hands are full.
“Under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342), it (enforcement raids) has been delegated to every enforcement agency and they must work as one team.
“Even though the compound issued is RM10,000 – which is equivalent to just a half day’s profit for the company – they are putting the lives of their workers at risk,” he said.
Dr Sim said the authorities needed the public to keep watch on this small group of recalcitrant Sarawakians who put their personal self interest above others. – The Vibes, July 8, 2021
