Unit in PM’s dept fined by health ministry after failure to comply with SOPs

The organiser of the 100-Day Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia Programme has been compounded RM1,000 for defying health SOPs, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said today following concern voiced over the large crowds who had responded to the offer of discounts of up to 80% by the government for their traffic summonses.

The police and Road Transport Department summons payment counters at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre meanwhile have been ordered to close immediately.

MalaysiaNow reported yesterday that tens of thousands had flocked to police stations and payment centres in the Klang Valley with checks showing a lack of physical distancing and crowds spilling into the streets at several locations.

The discount – up to 80% for motorists in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya and 70% for those in other states – was announced to mark 100 days of Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s “Malaysian Family” tagline and was intended to continue for four days until Dec 12.

The event was organised by Sepadu, a unit under the Prime Minister’s Department.

Khairy said the compound had been issued under the Disease Prevention and Control Act for failing to ensure physical distancing and causing congestion.

This is the maximum fine allowed for individuals and organisations following the repeal of the emergency ordinances in the Dewan Negara on Dec 8.

He also voiced regret that the event, which was meant to showcase the government’s achievements in its first 100 days of administration, had been marred by the organiser’s failure to ensure compliance with SOPs, and that of the people to adhere to the health measures.

“The incident is highly regretted and very disappointing as the organiser had previously stated its commitment to ensuring that the programme would be held in strict compliance with the SOPs, with ongoing monitoring, control and enforcement activities,” he said.

“The crowded situation and lack of physical distancing and control over the number of people present meant a risk of transmission of the Covid-19 virus.”

He said his ministry would continue to monitor the programme and would not hesitate to issue further compounds to organisers if SOPs are not met.