FEAR of being hit with a RM10,000 compound fine for breaching standard operating procedures (SOPs) has kept customers away, said eatery owners.

They told The Malaysian Insight that this, coupled with the inconsistent enforcement of the SOPs, has resulted in a 40% drop in business.

Malaysia Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors’ General Associations president Ho Su Meng said the high fines for SOP violations have greatly impacted business.

“When the high fines were imposed, kopitiam business plummeted by 30-40%,” he said.

“Even after they have been reduced following appeals, people are still afraid to eat out.”

Following amendments to the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, a person found breaching the SOPs is subject to a maximum fine of RM10,000 and companies, RM50,000.

Following a public uproar, the government stated that those who fail to wear a mask, register their locations on MySejahtera and keep their physical distance will be fined RM1,500 instead.

The maximum fines for the individual and a company are halved to RM5,000 and RM25,000, respectively.

If the public pays the fine within seven days of receiving the compound, there is a 50% discount. If they pay within 14 days, they are given a 25% discount, and if more than 14 days, there will be no discount.

“We hope that the government agencies can boost the confidence to the people and not cause them to be afraid of spending and help lift the economy,” said Ho.

He also complained about the lack of uniformity in enforcing the SOP among enforcement agencies in different states.

“This is particularly because of the different law enforcement standards in the states,” he said.

He added that a member who runs a kopitiam had told him that he was fined once because the disinfectant used on the premises had foam.

Ho said food operators were frightened whenever law enforcement officers pay their visit.

For example, he said, the Kuantan City Council limits dine-in time to an hour and diners must scan the MySejahtera again after the hour is up or get fined.

“The restaurant industry accounts for 39% of the nation’s gross domestic product, and it is willing to cooperate with the government to adhere to the Covid-19 SOP, but the state law enforcement must be standardised.”

He called on the National Security Council, law enforcement agencies and municipal councils to make law enforcement standards transparent and not make it difficult for small businesses.

Meanwhile, Persatuan Kopi Hotel dan Restoran Kuantan president Sin Thin Sang said the association has submitted a memorandum to the Pahang government regarding the one-hour limit for dine-ins.

He said it is difficult and unreasonable for customers to finish their meals within that time.

“The second implementation of the movement control order (MCO 2.0) this year has caused business to drop more than the first implementation last year,” he said.

“Currently, the business of the kopitiams is down 30% compared with that in the same period last year.”

He also said it is disappointing that the law enforcement of different states is not uniform, which has led to eateries and the public receiving fines for no good reason.

Customers fear high fines

Malaysia Koo Soo Restaurants and Chefs Association president Wong Teu Hoon said the business of Chinese restaurants has been affected after the government raised the fines.

“Business plummeted by 40% during the Chinese New Year. Now, everyone is worried about being fined when eating out and unable to settle the RM10,000 compound.”

He said although the government has lowered the fines, business increased by only 20%.

“The Chinese restaurants are spacious. A large table can accommodate 15 people while keeping a physical distance,” he said.

“Law enforcement officers come to inspect from time to time and fortunately, the restaurants meet the standards.”

Loon Sing Group managing director Sia Boon Kong said its restaurant managers and security personnel always ensured that every customer complied with the SOP.

He said business of the group’s restaurants in Kuala Lumpur and Seremban is recovering slowly and has yet to reach the same level as before.

“When the RM10,000 fine was imposed on March 11, business fell by 20%,” he said.

“After the fine was reduced, people are more willing to dine in, and business slowly recovered by 50%.

He called on the government to speed up the vaccination programme and discuss with the Singapore government to open borders between the two countries.

“So far, Chinese restaurants in the southern peninsula that depend on Singaporean tourists for business are badly affected.”

He also said the SOP is a challenge for small eateries.

“If you want to limit the number of tables and chairs on the premises and the number of people per table, it will reduce the number of diners,” he said.

Sia said currently, the revenue of restaurants is only used to maintain operations.

“Savings are exhausted and business is declining. It is a challenge if the situation does not improve this year,” he added.