The DAP MP told FMT that many families were already struggling to make ends meet due to the economic downturn while others were out of jobs, adding that their priority was simply to put food on the table.
Describing the move as “harsh”, Santiago said those from the low- and middle-income brackets stood to be the most affected by this move, reiterating that the fine was too steep and ordinary people would not be able to afford it.
“I do believe there’s a need to fine and discipline people, but it must be at a level where the people can manage it. This is not it,” he said.
“To set it at RM10,000 – it’s like the medicine is worse than the disease.”
The police have said that the RM10,000 was the maximum fine and it could be reduced upon appeal depending on the offence, but Santiago called for clarity.
He said clear parameters were needed, showing what fine each offence would bring, so that there could be uniformity.
“Giving public health officials the power to decide (on the amount to be fined) sounds wrong. What’s the basis of charging one person RM10,000 and someone else RM3,000?
“The government would be better off telling people: ‘If you do this, this is the fine, and if you do that, that’s the fine’. In that way, it’s quite organised. Now, it’s quite arbitrary and it’s going to promote corruption,” he said.
The enforcement of the RM10,000 fine for those who breach MCO rules as well as those who can trigger the spread of Covid-19 came into effect today.
Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador said district health officers now have the power to determine the value of the fines, while those who have been slapped with the RM10,000 compound can appeal for the fine to be lowered.
Santiago said giving government servants the open-ended ability to make decisions on fines would encourage corruption. He added that another way to deal with this was to give the courts the power to decide on the amount to be fined.
“What’s going to happen is a case where, in one area the fine for not wearing a mask is RM1,000 and in another place, it’s RM2,000. The person will then question why he was charged more. There must be uniformity in the way you apply the law.
“But now, it’s just arbitrary,” he added.
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