SRI AMAN: The Health Ministry’s proposed amendments to provide stiffer penalties for Covid-19 SOP offences is targeted at factories or workplaces that contribute to infection clusters, says Khairy Jamaluddin.

       The Health Minister assured Malaysians that they would not receive hefty fines for small SOP offences and urged the Opposition leaders to support the proposed amendments to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

       "Some of these companies are repeat offenders triggering clusters. If these companies are making billions annually, the present legislation only allows fines of RM1,000.

       "In fact, I have many examples of factories that have repeatedly triggered clusters," he said after launching the New Sri Aman Hospital in Simanggang on Wednesday (Dec 15).

       Khairy was referring to proposed amendments to the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342), where fines committed by individuals were raised to a maximum of RM10,000 and up to RM1mil for companies.

       Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said on Tuesday (Dec 14) that he and Pakatan Harapan MPs would reject the proposed amendments, citing concerns about the quantum of the fines for individuals.

       Khairy also said the fines would be issued by the Health Ministry after conducting an assessment which would be done based on a guideline on issuing fines.

       "Please don’t ‘cripple’ the Health Ministry if we are not able to pass this amendment," he said.

       Khairy said he had informed all MPs that the Health Ministry’s guideline on issuing fines would be given to them during a Parliamentary Select Committee meeting next week.

       "Once the Bill is passed, the Parliamentary Select Committee will call for a meeting next week because we want to enforce this amendment as soon as possible."

       Khairy also warned MPs that the current Parliament session will end on Thursday (Dec 16) and the Dewan Rakyat will only resume proceedings next March.

       "Many things can happen in these two months – especially with the emergence of the new Omicron variant," added Khairy.

       Khairy also said the proposed amendments to increase fines for Covid-19 SOP violations were not punitive in nature.

       "Punitivity is our last resort. But we will use all our weapons to fight this pandemic, such as vaccination, public health measures and Covid-19 SOPs.

       "Fines must be there as it serves as a deterrent," he said.

       After the Emergency Ordinances was revoked on Dec 8, the maximum fine that could be imposed on individuals or companies was RM1,000.

       Also present during the launch was Senior Minister (Works) Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.