KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry is lowering the proposed fines on companies and individuals who breach Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).

       Based on a document sighted by The Star, for individuals, the Bill will be amended to lower the initially proposed maximum RM100,000 fine or seven years’ jail under Section 24(a) to half, as “RM50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years”.

       Also tweaked was to reduce the proposed punishments under Section 25(b) from a fine not exceeding RM1mil for a corporate body to RM500,000.

       The decision to lower the fines comes in the wake of outcry over the initial fines contained in Bill tabled in Parliament on Tuesday (Dec 14) to amend the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).

       Also lowered is the compound amount under Section 31(3) not exceeding RM20,000, or an imprisonment term not exceeding three years or both.

       Under the present Act 342, health authorities are only empowered to impose a maximum fine of RM1,000 against companies and individuals who flout Covid-19 SOPs.

       More to come