KUCHING: The increase in fine for those who breach the movement control order (MCO) regulations is good, however, it goes down to the effectiveness of the enforcement and cooperation from the public, said Kuching City South Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng.
He said the federal government’s decision in increasing the fine is to make sure everybody complies with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to break the chain of Covid-19.
“As more businesses are allowed to reopen, I think by having a higher fine is the only way to make everyone comply with the SOPs,” he said yesterday.
He was responding to the amended Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, which stated that effective March 11, those who breach the MCO regulations can be fined up to RM10,000.
The Emergency Ordinance also stated that companies or corporations that violate the SOPs can be fined up to RM50,000.
“The public should know that increasing the fine is not in purpose to penalise them, but also to be fair to those who have been obeying the SOPs while others are not taking it seriously,” he said.
He said after a year of going through the battle against Covid-19 and with the vaccine immunisation programme being carried out now, if the people still do not take the Covid-19 pandemic seriously, then it would not be over anytime soon.
“I suggest that all the eateries arrange and mark all the tables and chairs to allow a physical distance of one metre when customers are seated.
“Of course, the volume of diners will be less. It is a way to break the transmission chain,” he said.
He added that if there are customers who disobey the SOPs, eatery owners must be firm and immediately report the matter to the relevant authorities.
“We need you to play your role to protect everyone, your business, customers, and Sarawakians from the virus,” he said.
