KUCHING: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Public Complaints Bureau (PCB) chief Wilfred Yap is appealing to the government to review its decision to increase the fine for violators of Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) from RM1,000 to RM10,000.
“Even though the significantly higher fine of RM10,000 is to make people abide by Covid-19 SOPs, it is too much for the ordinary public to pay, especially at a time of a sluggish and recovering economy when many are still struggling financially and where many have to withdraw their Employees Provident Fund (EPF) savings just to make ends meet.”
On Tuesday (March 16), he said any individual issued with the RM10,000 compound could seek the assistance of SUPP PCB, who would try its best to appeal to the District Health Office to reduce the amount.
“In relation to this, SUPP PCB also hopes that the Ministry of Health (MoH) will come up with a comprehensive guideline on the circumstances or situation on how the discretionary power to reduce the fine can be exercised by the District Health Office.”
On another matter, he said during a recent visit to the 7th Mile area, residents and the business community had complained about a burst main water pipe at Lorong 3, Jalan Stakan near the entrance to Kota Sentosa Commercial Centre.
Yap, who is also Kota Sentosa SUPP chairman, said the complaint was immediately communicated to the Kuching Water Board and the pipe had been repaired.
He said he along with community leaders and Kota Sentosa SUPP members during their regular on-the-ground activities were frequently approached by residents and the business community for assistance to carry out improvement and repair works to damaged infrastructure facilities.
SUPP PCB is always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone facing problems or who come across problems of public interest but unsure of how to deal with them.
SUPP PCB can be reached at 016-7797688 or 082-246999, or visit the SUPP Head Office.
