She said criminalisation of behaviour to deter infectious diseases has proven to be ineffective.

“People will find ways to overcome this,” she said during a webinar organised by Khazanah Research Institute today,

It would also lead to inequality, she added. The wealthy will be able to get away with a RM10,000 fine while the poor may end up in prison for failure to pay the fine.

Adeeba said she was in favour of more enforcement of existing laws for those flouting SOPs.

“I do have reservations on imposing (harsher punishment and fines) on individuals.”

The health ministry is proposing amendments to the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) to increase the maximum fine to RM10,000 and impose seven years’ imprisonment on those flouting the law.

It is proposing a maximum RM1 million fine for companies and government agencies guilty of such offences.

At present, the maximum fine for individuals and companies is RM1,000.

Adeeba said the government should put more effort into creating public trust in its policies.

“Whether it is Covid-19 or other diseases, the most important thing in public health response is trust. We need to strengthen that before using the criminal justice approach,” she added.

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