KJ Clarifies Why Anti-Masker Karen Only Fined RM3k

Changes to the guidelines meant that she wasn’t fined RM10K like Malaysians were earlier this year.

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An anti-masker Caucasian lady dubbed ‘Karen’ was fined RM3,000 for breaching SOPs and not wearing a facemask.

Many netizens felt that the fine was too little for how she had argued and tried to force her way past security guards at both KLCC and Bangsar Shopping Center (BSC).

People took to comparing the incident to when locals were fined a hefty sum of RM10,000 when they were caught not wearing masks properly during the MCO period.

Rakyat sendiri kena 10k. Warga asing 1.5k. Apa nak jadi dgn negara kita ni?
— Najib Haidin (@najibhaidin) October 31, 2021

It’s not unfair

While netizens are grumbling about the supposed ‘lighter fine’, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin cleared the air with an explanation.

According to him, the RM10K fine was reduced after a huge backlash from everyone earlier this year.

Then, when the State of Emergency ended in August, the Emergency Ordinance was no longer in effect, which dropped the fine for breaching SOPs to a maximum of just RM1,000.

There has been much concern about the compound amount given to an expatriate recently. Comparisons have been made to earlier compounds at a higher amount. Following complaints earlier this year of compound amounts being too high, new guidelines were introduced. pic.twitter.com/nIOnaMgQbO
— Khairy Jamaluddin 🇲🇾🌺 (@Khairykj) November 1, 2021

The anti-masker ‘Karen’ was fined RM3,000 in total for two offences in KLCC.

Her first offence was the failure to adhere to the directive of the Health Director-General when she failed to scan the MySejahtera app when entering a premise in an area with internet coverage.

Her second offence was the failure to wear a face mask in the said premises.

Both these offences were RM1,500 each.

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