Government Announces Discounts For Swift Payment Of MCO Fines

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

18th March 2021 - 4 min read

(Image: Malay Mail/Miera Zulyana)

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law), Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said that individuals and companies who were fined under the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 will be eligible for some discounts if they are prompt in settling their fines.

Specifically, those who clear their compounds within seven days will be given a 50% discount. Meanwhile, you will be eligible for a 25% discount if you pay it between eight to fourteen days after receiving the fine.

(Image: Bernama)

Aside from disclosing the discounts, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin also clarified details regarding the implementation of the maximum compound under the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021. For context, the government had earlier announced a maximum fine of RM10,000 and RM50,000 for individuals and companies that break the movement control order (MCO) standard operating procedures, respectively. This is a ten-fold increase from the previous maximum fine of RM1,000.

According to Datuk Seri Takiyuddin, the various offences will now be categorised by levels of severity, with three categories altogether. The value of fines will commensurate with the severity of the offences:

First category: Offences that result in high-infection risks and significant impact to the community on a large scale.
Second category: Offences that result in high-infection risks but less significant impact to the community.
Third category: Offences resulting in low infection risks and zero impact to the community.

Datuk Seri Takiyuddin listed some examples of offences that fell under the third category, including the failure to practise physical distancing, operating beyond the stipulated business hours, not wearing face masks, and failing to register before entering a shop or common area. He also said that these were also the most common violations committed.

(Image: The Star/Ong Soon Hin)

“An individual who commits an offence for failing to wear a face mask, for the first time it’s RM1,500. Failure to register when entering premises using MySejahtera or a log book, they are fined RM1,500 out of the maximum stipulated fine of RM10,000. Same goes to those who fail to ensure physical distancing – RM1,500 from the maximum stipulated fine amount,” said Datuk Seri Takiyuddin, adding that a detailed list of offences and their accompanying fines will be made available on the National Security Council (KKM) and Health Ministry website soon.

The minister also noted that a team will be formed by 1 April 2021 to monitor the enforcement of the standard operating procedures. This team, comprising of local authorities, can be recognised through special armbands.

With regard to the matter of making appeals beyond the discounted rates, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin said that anyone who is hit with a fine can do so with the Health Ministry. This applies especially to individuals who have difficulties paying their fines, such as disabled persons (OKU), the B40 group, and students.

(Image: The Star)

Additionally, the minister clarified that the decision to reduce fines can be made by several other personnel aside from district health officers. “In the Peninsular, anyone who receives a summons can appeal to the state health director, state deputy health director (public health), district health officer, and medical officer of epidemiology. In Labuan, they can make an appeal to the state health director, state deputy health director (public health), and medical officers of epidemiology,” he said, adding that individuals must provide relevant documents (such as OKU or student cards) to prove their status.

Finally, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin said that the public can head on to the Health Ministry’s website for the relevant forms to use for their appeals.

(Sources: Free Malaysia Today, Malay Mail)

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Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Previously covered recruitment-related stories and had a short stint as a copywriter for the property industry. She subsequently developed an interest in investment and robo-advisors.

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