PETALING JAYA: Those who have been compounded for violating the movement control order (MCO) regulations will be able to receive a discount if they pay within a certain period of time, de facto law minister Takiyuddin Hassan said today.
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Speaking at a joint press conference with health minister Dr Adham Baba, Takiyuddin announced that the public may receive a 50% discount if they paid within the first seven days of receiving the fine.
Meanwhile, those who settle their compounds within 14 days will be given a 25% discount.
The minister also announced that the failure to wear a face mask or practice physical distancing, among other standard operating procedures (SOPs), will now be liable to a fine of RM1,500 instead of the maximum RM10,000.
He said a detailed list of offences and their accompanying fines will be made available on the National Security Council and health ministry websites soon.
According to Takiyuddin, a team comprising local authorities will be formed by April 1 to monitor the enforcement of the SOPs. They will be identifiable through special armbands.
“In the battle against the pandemic, all these rules and SOPs are necessary to contain the spread of Covid-19. It is not to punish or torture people.
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“The health ministry and the police have also instructed their officers to only issue fines as a last resort,” he said.
On the possibility of making further appeals beyond the discounted rates, the minister said anyone who receives the summons can do so with the health ministry.
He added this especially applies to those who are unable to afford to pay their fines, such as disabled persons (OKU), the B40 group and students.
Takiyuddin also clarified that it is not just the district health officers who can decide on reducing the fines, as mentioned by the senior minister for security Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday.
“In the peninsula, anyone who receives a summons can appeal to the state health director, state deputy health director (public health), district health officer and medical officers of epidemiology.
“In Labuan, they can make an appeal to the state health director, state deputy health director (public health) and medical officers of epidemiology,” he said, adding that the offenders must provide the relevant documents to prove their status, such as an OKU card or student card.
“The public can download the relevant form from the health ministry’s website if they wish to appeal the fine.”- FMT