Previously, only those facing up to three months’ imprisonment were eligible for community service.

The amendment to Section 5 of the Offenders Compulsory Attendance Act 1954 states that the court may, instead of such sentence or committal, make a Compulsory Attendance Order requiring a person to undertake compulsory work at a centre daily for a period not exceeding 12 months, and for a maximum of four hours a day, as may be specified in such order.

The court shall also consider the character of such person, the nature and seriousness of the offence and all other relevant circumstances.

Section 5A of the same Act states that the director-general may, in writing, give direction to transfer any offender under the Compulsory Attendance Order to another centre, upon an application made by the offender or if the director-general thinks it is necessary to do so.

The ordinance was gazetted when the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, was satisfied that immediate action was required to guarantee and preserve the security, economic life and public order.

On Jan 12, Istana Negara announced in a statement that the Agong had consented to the proclamation of an emergency to be implemented nationwide until Aug 1 as a proactive measure to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the country.