In a statement today, Perak health director Dr Ding Lay Ming said the six students from a matriculation college in the state had been fined for failing to wear their face masks or failing to wear them properly.

She said they had also not followed physical distancing rules.

Yesterday, reports of the students being fined triggered a public backlash with several parties claiming that the authorities were implementing double standards in the enforcement of SOPs.

Former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who had highlighted the incident, questioned why officials did not launch an investigation into the matter.

“If it’s a student, then there’s no need to open investigation papers? The offences can be immediately compounded?” he asked, comparing this case to the alleged breach of SOPs by VIPs and government officials that were caught on video.

“We have talked about such double standards many times. What’s wrong with advising them first before compounding their offences?” the Muar MP said.

Ding said that another appeal for further reductions was submitted by the college management on the grounds that the students were from B40 families and could still not afford to pay the fines imposed.

She added that the college administration had also been warned about ensuring strict compliance with SOPs at all times within the premises.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST DATA ON THE COVID-19 SITUATION IN MALAYSIA