THE exorbitant fines being imposed on those violating the Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) only goes to show that Putrajaya is deaf to the sufferings of ordinary Malaysians, said Anwar Ibrahim.

The opposition leader said the decision to increase the compound from RM1,000 to RM10,000 under the newly gazetted Emergency Ordinance 2021, was not only insensitive but poorly thought through.

Anwar said it was not only harsh for first time offenders and those who may have unintentionally breached the SOP, but it also reeks of double standards.

He said many VIPs, politicians and government officials have clearly and openly flouted the SOP without facing similar repercussions.

“This is a clear example this government is selective in enforcing the rules, where ordinary struggling Malaysians are further victimised by unfair enforcement,” Anwar said, adding the government needs to be sympathetic.

“Many have lost their jobs and many are struggling to make ends meet.

“The unreasonable fines being dished out by the Perikatan Nasional government is an illustration of an autocratic, uncaring, backdoor government, which is still tone deaf to the sufferings of ordinary Malaysians.

“How can these people, if they are among those who are compounded, be expected to come up with RM1,000 let alone RM10,000?

“How can we allow poor Malaysians who are already under tremendous amount of stress to make ends meet, end up in jail because they could not afford the compound?” the Port Dickson MP asked.

He asked if the government would listen to the plight of the people or would it continue to exercise its unfettered powers with impunity since it is devoid of scrutiny due to the Emergency Ordinance.

Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador yesterday announced that to date, 330 individuals have been issued compound notices of RM10,000 each for flouting the MCO SOP nationwide. – March 13, 2021.