PETALING JAYA: News about the RM1,000 fine issued on the organiser of the 100-day Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia event has not gone down well with Malaysians who felt the sum was too small.

       Comments left on The Star’s Facebook showed their dissatisfaction. Many questioned the fine amount, stating that private businesses had been hit with heftier fines.

       A netizen, who went by the name of Indran Gegathesa, asked why the organiser was fined only RM1,000 while a recent pool party in Kuala Lumpur led to compounds of about RM1.5mil.

       Last Sunday, 303 party goers were detained during the party held at a private club. The RM1.5mil in compound fines included a fine of RM25,000 each being given to the club manager and the party organiser.

       “Pool party got fined RM1.5mil, whereas this was fined only RM1,000? What’s the rationale for the ‘discount’ here?” Indran said.

       On Friday, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that the RM1,000 compound was issued to the Shared Prosperity Delivery Unit (Sepadu) of the Prime Minister’s Department, which was the organiser of the four-day event held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

       Khairy said the RM1,000 was the maximum fine under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act.

       Photos of big crowds at the event, in which attendees breached physical distancing rules, had been circulated online.

       One Facebook commentator, Tim Mah, said:

       “A fine of RM10,000 to RM25,000 to business owners for violating a similar SOP. This is ridiculous standard.”

       Ben Lau Ck asked why the compound was only issued to the organiser.

       “Why not individuals? Those in pubs are compounded individually. Another double standard?” he asked.

       Syariza Yahya called for a RM50,000 fine. “Baru puas hati rakyat (only then will the people be satisfied),” she said.

       As for Asger Abdul Wahab, he said there had been heavy fines when the people violated Covid-19 rules. “(But) if government related agencies, cheaper fine. Hope there is no double standard,” he posted.

       Parameswaran Ponniah asked: “What about those who attended? Recently, the people who had partied at a pool side were fined!”

       Opposition politicians have joined in the fray as well.

       Klang MP Charles Santiago described it as half-hearted enforcement of Covid-19 rules at a government event.

       Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng questioned why the government had organised the event in the first place.

       “Knowing that the turnout would cause a problem in terms of social distancing, why was this event allowed? Why wasn’t a hybrid event conducted?” he asked.