He said he briefed MPs on Monday on the guidelines and conditions which needed to be fulfilled before the proposed enhanced penalties could be meted out for violation of Covid-19 SOPs.

The guidelines will protect the people from being slapped with unjust compounds for violating the SOPs, he said.

“Surely we are not going to issue a RM10,000 compound against someone for not wearing a face mask,” he said.

Khairy said the existing law was not effective in curbing the spread of Covid-19 because even factories which contributed to clusters could be fined only a maximum of RM1,000 although their revenue might run into billions.

“So, I would say MPs should not block the amendments as this will cripple the health ministry. We are fine-tuning the guidelines, and I have told all MPs, including from the opposition, that I will bring the guidelines to the Select Committee,” he said.

Khairy said this at a press conference after a ceremony to handover the proposed project for building Hospital Baharu Sri Aman Phase 2, which was also attended by senior works minister Fadillah Yusof here today.

The project is divided into two phases, with phase one involving land treatment work at a cost of RM8 million while phase two is on building works for the new hospital, quarters and support buildings at a current contract cost of RM181.4 million.

Khairy also rejected opposition claims that the proposed amendments were punitive in nature.

“We have guidelines to prevent abuse of power. I am appealing for the amendments to be passed at this sitting. Tomorrow is the last day and if we wait until March next year, we don’t know what will happen in the next two months with the emergence of the Omicron variant and the like.

“Being punitive is the last resort but we need to have weapons to face this pandemic. We have done our bit with vaccination, early measures, SOPs and control but what about the question of fines?” he added.

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