IT is more effective to cite the law against police obstruction to get the public to obey Covid-19 SOPs than it is fine violators RM10,000, DAP lawmaker Ngeh Koo Ham said today.

The Beruas MP, who is a lawyer, said police should first warn the people and only book them under the penal code if they refuse to listen.

“If (people) refuse to take heed of the warnings and comply with the directions of the police, such stubborn offenders can be charged under section 186 of the penal code for obstructing a public officer from carrying out his/her duties,” he said in a statement today.

The penalties for the offence is a maximum jail term of two years or a fine not exceeding RM10,000.

“I believe the public will be satisfied with such an approach as they are forewarned of any breach they may commit with the SOPs which are changing from day to day.”

Ngeh is among the DAP lawyers looking into new compound fine of RM10,000 for Covid-19 SOP violators.

The penalty was raised from RM1,000 recently under an emergency ordinance to amend the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act.

The amended amount did not go through parliament, which is suspended during a state of emergency.

Various quarters have slammed the high fine which they said is unduly harsh on low-income earners.

After the uproar that followed the announcement of the amended penalty in a federal gazette, Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador said the fine would only be imposed on repeat offenders. – March 1, 2021.