KUALA LUMPUR – The compound imposed on factories which violate the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) would return to RM1,000 after the end of the Emergency Ordinance on 1 August.
Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said, the low fine rate will not raise any fear among the factories or business premises to open their businesses as their profit far exceed the fine.
“The companies will not fear the RM1,000 fine at all. That’s why I announce every night and every day that the night clubs and pubs have never been allowed to operate since MCO 1.0 but actions are taken against pubs and night clubs every single day.
“If it is only RM1,000, it’s nothing to them. They can earn way more than that if they open illegally, thus, they can afford to pay that RM1,000 compound,” he added.
According to him, the government has amended the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases 1988 Act (Act 342).
Based on the e-Federal Gazette, the Emergency Ordinance (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases)(Amendment) 2021 gazetted on 25 February, the maximum compound imposed on companies and organisation who committed offence is RM50,000 with effect of 11 March.
“Many still think that the RM50,000 fine is not enough and the Emergency would end on 1 August. This means that we will return to the previous Act 342 with RM1,000 compound,” he added.
The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) urged the government to impose harsher punishment on employers who violate Covid-19 SOP.
Its President, Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said that several companies had disregarded the safety of their workers and they have given a bad impression on other employers nationwide. –MalaysiaGazette
