THE government’s decision to increase the compound from RM1,000 to RM10,000 for those found breaching movement control order standard operating procedures, under the newly gazetted Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, is insensitive and poorly thought through, especially for first-time offenders and those who may have unintentionally breached the SOPs due to confusion surrounding these SOPs.
The inspector-general of police has said 330 individuals nationwide have been issued compound notices of RM10,000 to date for flouting the SOPs.
This reeks of double standards, when many VIPs, politicians and government officials have clearly and openly flouted the SOPs without facing similar repercussions.
This is a clear example that this government is selective in enforcing the rules, with ordinary, struggling Malaysians further victimised by unfair enforcement. This government needs to be sympathetic to fellow Malaysians. Many have lost their jobs, and many are struggling to make ends meet.
The unreasonable fines being dished out by the Perikatan Nasional government are an illustration of an autocratic, uncaring backdoor government that is still tone-deaf to the sufferings of ordinary Malaysians, although it has been a year since it seized power through cunning and guile.
How can these people, if they are among those compounded, be expected to come up with RM1,000, let alone RM10,000? How can we allow poor Malaysians, who are already under a tremendous amount of stress to make ends meet, to end up in jail because they cannot afford the compound? What kind of nation are we becoming?
Will this government listen to the plight of the people, or will it continue to exercise its unfettered powers with impunity, since it is devoid of scrutiny due to the emergency ordinance? – The Vibes, March 13, 2021
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is opposition leader
