SIBU: Four persons were today each slapped with a RM10,000 fine for violating the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the conditional movement control order (CMCO).
District Crime Prevention and Community Safety chief DSP Ariffin Bahar said the compounds were issued when the CMCO Covid-19 SOP compliance monitoring team conducted an operation at Sibu Jaya Commercial Centre.
“Two of them, who are hairdressers, had failed to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while going about their businesses.
“The other two persons are a food stall owner who failed to wear a face mask properly and a coffee shop owner who failed to install barriers in front of his shop,” he said.
Ariffin was responding to reporters regarding the first operation during which offenders could be fined RM10,000 if found to have violated the SOPs. Previously, the compound for violating the SOPs was set at RM1,000.
He said before the fines were imposed, the four persons were given explanations on the offences they committed.
The SOP compliance monitoring operation today was done by 14 personnel from nine different government departments and agencies.
“The police will no longer issue warnings and will act without compromise against anyone found violating the SOPs in our efforts to flatten the Covid-19 curve in Sibu.
“Adhere to the SOPs and do not underestimate it or take it lightly, otherwise bigger compounds will be imposed.
“The monitoring teams will continue to conduct operations and inspections anywhere, so please abide by the SOPs,” he said.
Last Thursday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said that the value of the compound imposed for anyone who violated the SOP, has increased to RM10,000 from RM1,000 under the Emergency Ordinance (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) 2021 which had been gazetted on the same day.
He said the decision to raise the compound was not to punish offenders excessively or to allow the government to reap double revenue from the public, but was intended to sternly warn individuals not to repeat their offences such as failing to wear face masks, not practising physical distancing and not recording body temperature.
However, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the amount written in the compound notice had not been finalised as the individual could still go to the divisional or district health office and meet with officers to appeal.
