KUALA LUMPUR – Private hospitals may be the first to feel the effects of emergency law, following the government’s decree that these institutions must provide their facilities and expertise in the battle against Covid-19 or face hefty fines, said Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The senior minister for security said this is among the penalties that will be meted out to those who flout the emergency ordinance, which is currently being formulated before it is presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Ismail Sabri said that among other things, the government is considering using the facilities of some private hospitals for Covid-19 patient treatment, such as their labs and beds, which are currently in short supply in the public sector.
“We agreed that for now we do not want to force (private hospitals). At this early stage, we will discuss with them and inform them of our proposals.
“If they refuse, then we can use the emergency ordinance. In fact, hospitals can be fined up to RM5 million, if I’m not mistaken, as well as imprisonment.
“But it must be noted that since the emergency has only been declared, the ordinance must be consented to by the Agong first. Only once it is signed can it be gazetted into law,” he said in a press conference here today.
Commenting further, Ismail said the power given to the government under an emergency makes it even more important for such a proclamation to be declared.
He pointed out that during the previous movement control order last year, the government had no jurisdiction to issue any orders that are presently permitted under the emergency ordinance.
Other than the use of private hospitals and their facilities, Ismail said the government could also now give power to the military to arrest and detain illegal immigrants, powers previously exclusive to the police and immigration departments.
“As for employers who refuse to send their foreign workers for Covid-19 test, we can now have the power to order them to do so, and impose a penalty if violated.
“This is why this emergency actually has a lot of benefits for the government. It makes it easier for us to handle the pandemic. And this is why an emergency is much needed now, compared to other times,” he said. – The Vibes, January 14, 2021
