BARISAN Nasional must explain to Johor voters why it supports the proposed amendments to increase compounds and penalties concerning Covid-19 offences under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342), said Lim Guan Eng.

The DAP secretary-general said DAP and Pakatan Harapan have adopted a firm stand in opposing and voting against such amendments in Parliament due to the draconian powers granted to enforcement authorities and harsh penalties.

“There are two fundamental reasons why these amendments should not be approved.

“First, they are an attempt by the government to avoid responsibility for its failure to manage the Covid-19 pandemic, which has caused 3.5 million infections and the loss of almost 33,000 lives, by pinning the blame on the people.

“Second, the harsh penalties can have a devastating effect on the livelihood of ordinary people and survival of small businesses, both of which are unable to afford such compounds.”

Act 342 confers the health director-general the power to offer a maximum fine of RM1,000 to offenders, who must pay to avoid being charged in court, following the repeal of the emergency ordinances in the Dewan Negara on December 8.

The Health Ministry did not propose lowering the maximum fine of RM10,000 for individuals listed in the Bill. But it did propose to cut the maximum compound for companies by half to only RM500,000 from RM1 million.

For general offence penalties under the Act, the ministry proposed a maximum fine of RM50,000 and three years’ jail, or both, for individuals.

This is half of the initial proposal in the Bill, which offers a maximum fine of RM100,000 and seven years’ jail, or both, for individuals.

The government also proposed a maximum fine of RM2 million for companies and government agencies.

Currently, section 24 of the Act lists out the penalties for any person, without separating individuals and corporate bodies.

The amendments will allow for penalties to be enforced at will, with unfettered and unlimited powers granted to the health director-general that cannot be questioned or challenged, said Lim.

He added that Putrajaya is cunning and devious in timing the debate and approving the proposed amendments after the Johor polls.

“Clearly the amendments are intended to be passed after the state elections to avoid the adverse electoral impact and controversy.

“For this reason, BN, including Umno, MCA and MIC, must come clean on their support for the proposed amendments, which are inimical to the interests of the people.”

The Bagan MP said not all citizens or companies have the financial capability to pay such a hefty fine.

“Not every ordinary Malaysian is wealthy like ministers, who can afford RM10,000 fines, and not every company can survive if slapped with a RM1 million fine.”

He said the Health Ministry must own up to its Covid-19 failures and bear full responsibility for its incompetence in managing the pandemic, he added.

The government needs to effectively manage the transition of the pandemic to an endemic and accept the reality that society has to live with the virus, he added. – March 2, 2022.