KUALA LUMPUR – The “KLCC Karen” case continues to hog the limelight as Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin takes to Twitter to explain the lower compound rate the Caucasian woman was given compared with the RM10,000 fine issued to someone else in March.
He said that the compound rates have been revised after public complaints, resulting in new guidelines.
“There has been much concern about the compound amount given to an expatriate recently. Comparisons have been made to earlier compounds at a higher amount. Following complaints earlier this year of compound amounts being too high, new guidelines were introduced.
“The case where a gentleman was compounded RM10k for not wearing his mask properly happened before the new guidelines were enforced,” he posted on his Twitter account today.
There has been much concern about the compound amount given to an expatriate recently. Comparisons have been made to earlier compounds at a higher amount. Following complaints earlier this year of compound amounts being too high, new guidelines were introduced. pic.twitter.com/nIOnaMgQbO
— Khairy Jamaluddin ??? (@Khairykj) November 1, 2021
Although the minister did not name the expatriate nor the man who was given a RM10,000 for not wearing a mask properly, he said that the compound rates will return to a maximum of RM1,000 per offence for individuals and organisations when the emergency ordinances expire (in February).
“The RM10,000 compound issued on March 12 for wearing a mask at the chin was in line with the emergency ordinance then (maximum of RM10k/person, RM50k/organisation). On March 17, a guideline for a more reasonable compound rate was announced.”
Khairy also shared a screenshot of the March 17 guidelines, where improper use of a mask by employees and customers will be liable to a RM1,500 fine and a 50% discount if paid in seven days or a 25% discount if settled between eight and 14 days.
After two weeks or if it is a repeat offence, offenders are no longer given a discount.
The guideline stated that a fine of RM1,500 will be given to those who fail to check their temperature before entering business premises, do not practise physical distancing, and fail to register their entries to premises via MySejahtera, with exceptions for manual registration.
The ordinances introduced during the nationwide emergency (January 11 till August 1) detailed hefty fines for related offences.
The ordinances will expire six months after the emergency ended on August 1.
The Dewan Rakyat on October 25 agreed to annul the ordinances. However, the Dewan Negara’s approval is also required for the annulment to take place. – The Vibes, November 1, 2021
