DAP’s legal bureau is extending its services nationwide for those fined for violating the standard operating procedure (SOP) of the movement-control order (MCO), said Ramkarpal Singh.

The DAP legal bureau chairman said their service centres have received complaints from the public on compounding offences under Section 25 of the Prevention of Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 where an individual can be fined up to RM10,000.

“DAP will provide legal assistance to those penalised under the Emergency Ordinance (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) 2021 Emergency Ordinance 2021. The bottom 40 group will be given priority.

“This initiative will be implemented in each state where those penalised can contact us for further action,” he said in a statement.  

The government has imposed a compound of up to RM10,000 for individuals and RM50,000 for companies for breaching the MCO regulations under the ordinance.

The Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, which was published in the Federal Gazette website, had come into effect on March 11.

However, Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said individuals who were issued with the RM10,000 compound can appeal to the district health office to reduce the amount.

He said health officers would use their discretion to determine the amount that needs to be paid by the offenders.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng had condemned the enforcement of the RM10,000 fine for repeat MCO violators.

He said that the DAP legal bureau would help them if they are compounded in court.

“I have asked the DAP legal bureau to see how to defend the less fortunate Malaysians.” – March 15, 2021.