The amendments were presented by health minister Khairy Jamaluddin for the first reading today, and Anwar said the Dewan Rakyat understands that the bill will be debated on Thursday – which is the last day of the Parliament session for this year.

“Having looked at the amendments in detail and after having listened to the views of MPs and the rakyat who are very upset with the excessive amount of fines and compounds, that may open the door to abuse of power and corruption, the opposition and I cannot support this bill in the form that it has been tabled,” he said in a statement.

Among the most contentious of the amendments is the proposed maximum compound of RM1 million for businesses or agencies not complying with Covid-19 SOPs.

Anwar said he had informed Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob of the opposition’s stand.

In a separate statement, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang said Khairy should withdraw the amendment bill and consult MPs, political parties and the relevant medical bodies and NGOs.

Otherwise, Lim said Khairy faces the prospect of having the bill opposed – which he said would be a first after the memorandum of understanding signed between the federal government and Pakatan Harapan in September.

He added that the forcing through of the amendments would be a “day of infamy” as it would go against Khairy’s statements that Malaysians must learn to live with Covid-19.

“Khairy will be destroying his own credibility and political future if he forces through the draconian and unscientific amendments,” said Lim.

Other key points of the amendments include providing enforcement powers to authorities other than from the health ministry, the use of tracking devices, isolating positive cases in places other than quarantine stations, and more specific compound rates for individuals and corporate bodies.

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