The government has finally come up with guidelines on the RM10,000 compounds under the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 which came into force on March 11.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said first-time offenders would pay RM1,500 for offences like not wearing a face mask in a public area or for not observing physical distancing although the amount stated on the compound is RM10,000 as per the ordinance.
There will be discounts of 50 per cent and 25 per cent for payment within 14 days.
During a joint press briefing with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba this afternoon, Takiyuddin stressed that the compounds under the ordinance did not exceed RM10,000 for individuals and RM50,000 for companies.
How did the government come to this decision?
During the Cabinet meeting this morning, it was agreed the offences be categorised as:
Category 1 – High risk and high impact on the community.
Category 2 – High risk but moderate impact on the community.
Category 3 – Low risk and low or no impact on the community.
Takiyuddin provided some examples:
Category 1
i. A doctor from a private practice who fails to inform the Health Ministry of a Covid-19 positive patient. Since it involves an individual (ie. the doctor), the medical practitioner will be fined RM5,000.
ii. Someone who enters a pub or nightclub will be fined the maximum RM10,000 while the pub or nightclub operator, who has defied orders by continuing to remain open, will pay the maximum RM50,000.
Category 2
i. If someone enters an Enhanced Movement Control Order area without permission, the fine is RM3,000.
Category 3
i. The compound for not wearing a face mask is RM10,000 as per the ordinance BUT for a first-time offender, it is RM1,500.
ii. Failure to register using the MySejahtera mobile application or record one’s details in the registry at a premise will result in a compound of RM10,000 as per the ordinance BUT for a first-time offender, the payment is RM1,500.
iii. Failure to observe physical distancing will also cost a first-time offender RM1,500 although the amount stated on the compound is RM10,000.
iv. A premise owner who stays open beyond the stipulated hours will have to pay RM10,000 instead of RM50,000 as stated on the compound.
Pay fast, pay less
Automatic discounts will be offered to individuals or companies who pay up within 14 days.
Within the first seven days: 50 per cent discount.
From Day 8 to Day 14: 25 per cent discount.
E.g. A first-time offender who is slapped with a RM10,000 compound today for not wearing a face mask in a public area will only pay RM750 (50 per cent reduction from RM1,500) if he or she pays up within the next seven days.
There will be no discounts after Day 14. Those facing financial difficulties can, however, appeal to the Health Ministry for further reduction in fine and must provide documents to support their claims.
“Certain parties are trying to confuse the public. What is written on the compound is the maximum figure (RM10,000). I’ve said since the start that they (the compounds) do not exceed RM10,000. There was no guideline then but with this new guideline, those who have been compounded today are entitled to the discounts,” said Takiyuddin.
He, however, failed to explain if the discounts also applied to those who have been compounded prior to today’s announcement.
“Many are now offering lawyers (to help settle compounds) … (those compounded) don’t need lawyers. The guidelines are clear,” he added.
Here’s the round-up of The News Normal today.
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