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KUALA LUMPUR: A three-tier system for Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) offenders should be introduced instead of a RM 10,000 fine for all offenders, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
The president of the Alliance for Safe Community said a distinction must be made between first-time offenders and repeat offenders.
“It is proposed that a three-tier system be introduced instead of a fine of 10,000 ringgit for all.
“I suggest that the competent authority develop and implement a fairer system to sanction those who violate the SOPs established to combat Covid-19. They must exercise their wisdom and fairness in determining the appropriate fines to be imposed,” he said on Saturday. (February 27).
A three-tier system will ensure that the casual offender is not placed in the same category as the habitual, persistent and recalcitrant offender, he added.
“Persistent criminals can be easily traced through police records,” he urged.
Lee said that increasing the fines for SOP offenders from RM1,000 to RM10,000 is too harsh and excessive as it is a 900% increase.
“If the severity increases, so must the prescribed punishment. Currently, the penalty for violating SOPs is RM 1,000.
“Given that the instance and effect of not following standard operating procedures has increased dramatically over the past year, it makes sense to increase the 1,000 ringgit fine stipulated by the Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control Act of 1988.
“However, increasing the fines to 10,000 ringgit is considerable and excessive,” he said.
He added that a fine is especially strong when a criminal commits a crime out of sheer carelessness or forgetfulness and not as an act of defiance.
“In cases like these, law enforcement must exercise some flexibility so as not to unfairly burden the public,” Lee added.
He added that not everyone can pay a fine of 10,000 ringgit, especially in times of economic hardship.
“It’s also not fair to early offenders who probably forgot or were slow to comply. There may be some who made honest or inadvertent mistakes. These people should be fired with a reprimand, “he said.
He also asked all people to strictly follow standard operating procedures.
“This is important for your safety and that of your loved ones. Comply not for the law but for your safety and health.
“To this end, it is important to intensify efforts to educate the public on their responsibility to ensure that they do not unknowingly spread the virus,” he said.
Lee also reminded law enforcement personnel to exercise the utmost discretion and fair judgment before issuing citations to violators.
“For those who make unintentional mistakes, they should be reprimanded. However, law enforcement officials should not hesitate to take action against those who openly disobey the SOP, which can lead to the transmission and infection of Covid-19. “, He said.
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