THE Ministry of Health will not hesitate to reintroduce compounds under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act (Act 342) if the public continue to ignore and flout the existing standard operating procedures (SOPs), Khairy Jamaluddin said today. 

Khairy said the ministry will not hesitate to bring back Act 342 because he finds the public are not complying with the use of face masks in enclosed areas. 

“I would like to remind Malaysians that wearing a face mask in closed premises is still mandatory.”

“If the cases continue to increase at a sharp rate, then the ministry will not hesitate to reinforce Act 342, (and issue compounds) especially to those who refuse to wear face masks in enclosed areas,” Khairy said at a press conference in Parliament today. 

Act 342 is a law that was passed by Parliament, giving powers to the government to act to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases, including but not limited to Covid-19, and also includes the maximum compound amount and the maximum penalty that offenders may face.

When someone commits an offence under Act 342, the authorities can choose to compound the offender for the offence, or charge them in court.

In other words, an offender can avoid being charged in court, where they may face heavier penalties such as fines or imprisonment, if they pay the compound amount offered.

Khairy said that since April 17 this year, the ministry and other agencies have scrapped issuing compounds under Act 342.

He said the decision was made in line with the transition phase to endemicity, where he said that the government prioritises community empowerment and individual responsibility. 

Khairy said that the ministry have relieved other agencies from issuing compounds under Act 342. 

With a lack of resources as the country transitions towards endemicity, Khairy said that he does not want to go back to issuing compounds to individuals for offences. 

“I don’t want to issue compound notices because the public should know what to do.”

“So, I hope we don’t get to that point,” he said. 

As new cases increase, Khairy urged premise owners to be vigilant and check the MySejahtera status of patrons. 

“Premise owners, such as restaurants, where people will have to remove facemasks, are encouraged to check the customers’ health status, whether the person is positive or not,” he said. – July 8, 2022.