SOP Task Force In Sarawak Gives Out Face Mask Instead Of Fines To Elderly, Malaysians Impressed

Instead of a hefty RM10,000 fine, this actually helps people stay safe from Covid-19.

@datukhensem/Twitter

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After multiple news of Malaysians being fined RM10,000 for standard operating procedures (SOP) violations -some of which many labelled as too harsh – the SOP Task Force team in Lawas, Sarawak’s different approach has garnered much praise online.

Images shared on Twitter showed the enforcement personnel handing out free face mask to an elderly man who did not have one, instead of slapping him with a compound as was usually expected.

Pasukan Task Force SOP di Lawas, Sarawak memberikan pelitup muka percuma kepada seorang warga emas yang didapati tidak mempunyai mask. pic.twitter.com/E71LH4u11C
— Datuk Jahat Hensem (@datukhensem) April 6, 2021

The gentle approach garnered much praise online, with several Malaysians agreeing with educating and helping citizens first.

“This is the right way. Give face masks to the poor and needy, not a fine,” said one commenter, echoing the sentiments of many who liked the post.

The RM10,000 compound controversy

Since the enforcement of the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 from 11th March, all fines for violating SOPs such as failing to wear a mask, practice a 1-metre social distancing, or checking-in via the MySejahtera app will be increased to a minimum of RM10,000.

This is a tenfold increase from the previous RM1,000 compound.

However after much backlash online, the government then clarified that the offences now have three categories with the maximum fine reaching up to RM10,000 as such:

Offences that cause a high risk of transmission or infect the community on a large scale.
Offences resulting in high infection risks but lower impact on the community.
Offences resulting in low infection risks and zero impact to the community.

Law Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan also said that discounts will be offered for early payments and a new SOP team will be formed to ensure that Malaysians abide by the Covid-19 SOPs.

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