Companies, factories and government agencies that violate the standard operating procedures (SOP) for Covid-19 outbreak control can be compounded up to RM1 million after the amendment of the Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control Act 1998 (Act 342) is done. Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that was one of the essence of the amendment to Act 342 which would be tabled at the Dewan Rakyat sitting very soon. The amendment to increase the compound was also based on assessment, for example if the offense was repeated the number would be high. “The current rules only set a maximum amount of RM50,000 for companies and factories. "For individuals, the maximum amount of compound will remain at RM10,000 but based on the current situation involving the implementation of quarantine at home and so on, the amendment will also touch on matters such as the installation of surveillance devices," he added. Khairy said the amendment was also very important in terms of enforcement as the matter would involve a devolution of powers which would allow not only enforcement to be carried out by MOH enforcement officers but by local authorities. After the amendment, clear guidelines will be in plae so that there would be no issue of abuse of power emphasising on the need to future proofing the process in order to change the behavior among the community. This comes after the Health Minister was under attack for allowing SOP breach at the Government organised 100 Days of Keluarga Malaysia event held recently at KL Convention Centre. The organiser was only fined RM1000 for the multiple breach that occured at the event, hordes of people queing up without any concern of the SOP and booths were packed with visitors anxious to meet the ministers.
