Get tough on Covid offenders, but no double standards, govt told

Consumer assocations have no problems with Covid-19 offenders being fined, but they say the same standards must apply to politicians too. (Benama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

With the spectre of increased fines hanging over their heads, consumer associations here want an assurance that the government will not practise double standards with its new “tough stance” against those who breach Covid-19 rules.

Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam (Cassa) president Jacob George has asked for assurance that the government will not increase fines on ordinary citizens. He also wants more awareness campaigns carried out.

He said there have been far too many cases of double standards being practised between ordinary folk and politicians, which needs to stop if the government is serious about its plan to stop the spread of Covid-19.

“We have to walk the talk,” he told FMT.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced yesterday that the government will impose higher fines for repeat MCO offenders and warned of business shutdowns and jail time for those breaching SOPs.

But George said this may not stop enforcement officers accepting kickbacks on the ground.

“There are victims coming forward to talk,” George told FMT.

While Cassa is against imposing any hike in fines on ordinary folks, it welcomed the move to impose hefty fines on companies, adding that there should not be any compromise on industry players breaching the SOPs or being callous.

The workplace Covid-19 cases, he said, had been on the rise with Malaysia recording over 5,000 cases daily.

He also said the country needed clarity and consistency as far as SOPs are concerned as even during the emergency and movement control order (MCO), the roads are full of cars.

There are also a lot of hawkers and “what the government is saying and what is happening on the gound seems to be contradictory. ”

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) said increasing fines and compounds may not solve the problem.

Its president Marimuthu Nadason also said there should not be any double standards between the regulations for the rakyat and politicians, as people are being fined despite facing hardships.

“People are being fined. We have received reports that families are suffering as they don’t have money,” he told FMT.

He also called for a softer approach on companies if their foreign workers did not follow the rules due to ignorance, He also said there was a need to create awareness.

Currently, the maximum fine under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1998 (Act 342) is RM1,000 for individuals and companies. The government plans to amend the law using the Emergency Ordinance to increase the fines

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Get tough on Covid offenders, but no double standards, govt told

Consumer groups say ordinary man and politicians should be treated equally, with companies being hit with higher fines .