KUALA LUMPUR – Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah has called for more aggressive awareness campaigns on the importance of complying with standard operating procedures (SOPs) during the movement control order (MCO), as opposed to stiffer penalties for violators.
She said in a statement today that this is because awareness and precise guidelines on the SOPs are lacking at all levels, adding that cabinet members themselves were also found flouting the rules.
“If leaders are unable to follow the SOPs and yet when they violate, they get off scot-free or (come up) with excuses that they happen to meet up. This will only bring great disrepute to the SOPs which have been set up by the Health Ministry and the senior minister,” she said, referring to Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Today, Ismail Sabri said that after February 4, stern action awaits SOP violators under the MCO.
He said this is to combat the rising number of daily Covid-19 cases, especially involving workers in construction areas and factories.
Maria, who is former Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) chair, said more aggressive awareness campaigns should take place for a period of one month on radio, television and social media, as well as daily announcements made from mobile vans.
She added that the RM45 million from the rebranded Special Affairs Department (Jasa) – now known as Department of Community Communications (J-Kom) – should be tasked with carrying out the awareness campaigns.
Maria said it is appropriate for the department since the Communications and Multimedia Minister insisted that it was set up to serve “community purposes”.
She also called on the government to release specific data on Covid-19 cases, including details of outbreaks in districts and towns.
“Sharing data on a consistent basis will not undermine the authority of ministry or the National Security Council but will help in contact tracing and isolation.”
She said the government needed to provide clear guidelines on the SOPs as the matter appeared to be at the discretion of the police.
“There are cases where fines have been given by police when one is on the streets after 10pm,” she said, adding this happened although there were no curfews announced.
“The senior minister insensitively said that one can go to court to appeal (if they are fined). He failed to understand that court processes are already greatly delayed.
“Not everyone has the time nor funds to bring the matter to court and the offence is too small to load courts that are already facing a backlog of cases.”
Yesterday Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said police believed the RM1,000 compound should be raised for flouters of SOPs as thousands of summonses had been issued to individuals for various offences, especially failure to observe physical distancing.
She added that clear guidelines such as time limits, opening hours for shops and industries, the wearing of masks in restaurants and offices were the information required.
She said statements that the government will protect the economy and peoples’ lives have been heard many times.
“Unfortunately, clarity is not part of the equation.” – The Vibes, February 1, 2021
