KUALA LUMPUR: Companies, factories and government agencies violating Covid-19 standard operating procedures can be compounded up to RM1mil under proposed amendments to be tabled next Thursday.

       Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the increase in the compound was among some of the proposed amendments to the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1998 (Act 342) to be tabled in Dewan Rakyat.

       Khairy said based on assessment, the compound could be even higher for repeat offences.

       Currently, the maximum amount that can be imposed on errant companies and factories is RM50,000, he said.

       “For individuals, the maximum amount of compound will remain at RM10,000.

       “Based on the current situation involving home quarantine implementation and so on, the proposed amendments will also involve matters such as the installation of surveillance devices,” he was quoted by Bernama on RTM’s Bicara Naratif Khas on Sunday.

       Khairy said the amendments were crucial in terms of enforcement as these would involve the delegation of power to allow enforcement to be carried out not only by officers from the Health Ministry but local authorities as well.

       The amendments, he said, would also involve clear guidelines so that there would be no issue of power abuse, adding that the move was for “future-proofing” to affect behavioural changes in the community.

       The move also seeks to refine the control of infectious diseases for more effective and efficient management, he added.

       The ministry, said Khairy, takes a firm stand in ensuring public safety by implementing efforts to control the Covid-19 pandemic.

       Malaysians, he added, should continue to comply with the prescribed SOP.