BATU KAWAN (Bernama): The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has issued 839 compound notices involving RM4.5mil for violations of the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) following inspections carried out nationwide since May 13.

       Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad (pic) said the compound notices were issued after 732,893 premises were inspected nationwide until yesterday.

       "Let me stress that issuing compound notices has not been our priority. This is the last step taken after our advocacy work and the recommendations given are not complied with," he said when met after inspecting business premises at Design Village here Saturday (Aug 21).

       He said during the same period, the ministry had also issued warnings and counseled 8,410 business premises owners to always comply with the SOPs set under the current National Recovery Plan.

       Hasnol added that in general, traders in the country have adopted the new norms and the compliance rate among them was as high as 98.7%.

       However, slightly more than 1% of traders are still errant and reluctant to comply with the SOPs despite having been told several times, he added. - Bernama