THE government is expected to table amendments to the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 tomorrow, which would re-introduce heavy penalties for both individuals and companies. 

The maximum fine for individuals will be increased to RM10,000, while for companies it will be a whopping RM1 million. 

Against the backdrop of a sluggish economy that’s only starting to slowly pick up, this move makes little sense. 

The previous government, comprising the same people, had earlier this year imposed similar fines for individuals and just 5% of the currently proposed fines for companies, and was met largely with criticism and ridicule.

Among its critics then were from Umno – the party now helming the government, and from which present Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin comes. 

This started on March 11, reviewed on March 13. Fines were categorised and dramatically reduced in some cases from RM10,000 to RM1,500.

On March 17, discounts of 50% and 25% for “early settlement” were brought in along with an appeals mechanism.

The government, exercising powers granted by a state of emergency, had also attempted other steps such as compelling private hospitals to take on Covid-19 cases, only to change its position later. 

These flip-flop steps, along with perceived double standards, seemingly inconsistent policies and constantly changing SOP are some of the key reasons Malaysians are suffering from pandemic fatigue. 

Steps need to make sense in order to gain public acceptance more easily. 

The numbers indicate fines weren’t the main contributing factor in reducing the number of cases.  

The first amendment was imposed in March, and the number of daily cases reported at the end of that month was 1,482.

At the end of April, six weeks after the fines were introduced, the daily case number had risen to 3,788, and by the next month, it was 6,999.

At this point, a second “total lockdown” was imposed, and by the end of June, the case dropped slightly to 6,276.

The lockdown was then lifted and by the end of July, we saw 17,786 cases. By August, this number swelled to 20,897.

The curfew was lifted in August and fines went down to RM 1,000 for individuals. 

It then gradually decreased to its current figure of between 4,000 and 5,000. It is noteworthy that from March to August, while the fines were imposed, numbers were on mostly an upward trend. 

It doesn’t make much sense to increase fines at this point, where the government narrative is one of economic recovery and restoring consumer confidence to shop. 

It makes less sense to hold a public carnival for a 100 Day Aspirasi programme, promote it heavily on print, radio, television and digital media, and not expect large throngs of crowds through the turnstiles, especially when you throw in 80% discounts for traffic summons. 

Just like reducing traffic summons, gathering people in one place and then scolding them for doing so, fining the organisers – whose performance is probably based on a good turnout – ironically for the party issuing them the summons in the first place, is more self-contradictory, rather than the measly sum itself. 

It is a question of double standards – when MPs are fined walking to Parliament and individuals were not for attending the Aspirasi programme.  

Where some individuals were let off the hook until the public outcry, petty traders were previously charged up to RM50,000.  

Steps taken need to make sense scientifically, statistically and be enforced equitably and justly.  

Also, this does not jive with the present promotion of “living with Covid” and treating it as endemic.

Rather, this, like much of what the government has done thus far, only sends mixed and clashing signals, in a time we need clarity and assurance that they have our best interests in mind rather than continual knee-jerk reactions that only make things worse. – December 15, 2021.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.