It seems like more and more individuals have been slapped with the RM10K compound for failing to adhere to the SOP) during the current conditional movement control order (CMCO) period. Last we heard, over 300 – 400 people have been charged with the hefty fine.
For those interested, check out this compilation of a few cases that made headlines over the past few days here:
1. Assistant cook in Kampung Rapat, Ipoh
An assistant cook was recently fined RM10,000 for allegedly flouting Covid-19 SOPs in Kampung Rapat, Ipoh. As stated by Facebook user Kuan Chee Heng (Uncle Kentang), the complainant was issued with the impressively large compound when he went to the back of his restaurant to smoke. The individual is also said to be in a dead end, as he’s unable to send monthly money to his mother. On top of that, it was also revealed that he owed the restaurant for paying the compound, therefore his pay would also be deducted!
As a response to that, Ipoh police district chief, ACP A. Asmadi Abdul Aziz stepped forth to clarify that the police officers have never issued any CMCO compound purportedly against the said individual. He explained, “Further checks with the owner of the Kuan Chee Heng Facebook page revealed that the complainant could not be contacted through the phone number provided to verify the authenticity of the claim which has gone viral.”
Additionally, A. Asmadi revealed that a police report was lodged by the Kampung Rapat police station chief regarding the circulating claim to enable investigations into the real cause of the incident.
2. Zachary Yeoh & Samantha Loh
A social media influencer, known as Zachary Yeoh, took to his page to share his terrible encounter with the police, when he and a friend, Samantha Loh, were compounded RM10K each while having their meals at a local eatery. According to him, the incident happened at around 11;14 back on Saturday (13th March). He also shared a detailed description on what happened at that time. “This is illegal, this is ridiculous, this is daylight robbery,” Zachary furiously remarked.
3. Perak grocery store visitor
A 45-year-old man was fined for wearing his face mask under his chin at a grocery store last Friday (12th March). The police later confirmed the case that happened in Tanjung Piandang, Parit Buntar, after a photo of the compound issued spread all over social media.
Kerian District Police Chief, Superintendent Mazuki Mat, stated that the man had failed to wear his face mask properly and only wore it under his chin when entering and leaving the store. He added that the compliance team had made proper observations prior to issuing the fine. In this case, the compound was released in accordance to Section 21A (1) of the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021.
4. Barber shop owners in Sibu
Two hair salon owners in Sibu, Sarawak – a 67-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man – were fined RM10,000 each for violating the CMCO SOPs over the weekend on Saturday (13th March). As reported by NST, both of them didn’t wear disposable gloves and aprons during an inspection held at the premise located in Bandar Baru Sibu Jaya.
Sibu district police chief, ACP Stanley Jonathan Ringgit, said that others who were slapped with the compound included a 23-year-old woman who did not wear a face mask and a 53-year-old man, who was the owner of a restaurant. According to the police official, the latter failed to supervise and control the customers’ movements in and out of his shop.
5. Lahad Datu beggars
Sabah Post previously reported that 9 female beggars from the Pala’uh community were fined up to RM10,000 for failing to comply with the RMCO (recovery movement control order) SOPs. The beggar-women, aged between 17 to 41 years old, were arrested while engaging in begging activities without wearing their face masks on and practising physical distancing.
Following that, the police later came forward to shut down the claims. stating that they’ve never issued the aforesaid compound. Lahad Datu police district chief, Rohan Shah Ahmad, clarified that the compounds are only issued to Malaysians, and the women were under investigation. “As the 9 beggars have stateless status, the investigation paper must also be referred to the DDP Office for us to receive further action instructions,” he told MalaysiaKini.
6. Uniform shop owners in Johor Bahru
A husband-and-wife who own a shop selling school uniform in Johor Bahru were recently compounded RM1,000 by the Johor Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) enforcement for not wearing their face masks, though there were no customers around at that time! “Since there were no customers, I took off my mask. My wife, who was in the back room, was having an afternoon coffee,” said the husband, Hong Chee Sheng, 52.
“When I noticed a man outside my shop, I quickly put on my face mask properly before walking out, thinking that he was a customer. The man, dressed in plainclothes, introduced himself as a ministry enforcement officer and rudely told me that I had violated the law by not wearing a face mask. I explained to him that there were no customers so I pulled down my face mask for a breather but he insisted that I was in the wrong,” he further added.
In shedding some light about the matter, the ministry stated, “We are looking into the basis of the action. If it is found that the compound should not have been issued in the first place, the ministry will refer the matter to the Health Ministry and recommend a reconsideration of the compound.”
Update (Tuesday, 16th March):
7. Form 5 student in Batu Berendam, Melaka
A 17-year-old was recently compounded for not using the MySejahtera for scanning and registering his details when visiting a grocery store in Batu Berendam, Melaka to buy medicine for his mom. “I only asked whether there was a particular paracetamol brand available there and when I was leaving the outlet, plain-clothed policemen sighted me and issued the fine,” the individual, who refused to be named, told The Star.
“I wasn’t given a chance to explain and the compound was issued on the spot but I understand, the cops were carrying out their duties,” he further added. In response to that, Melaka Tengah OCPD Asst Comm Afzanizar Ahmad clarified to news outlet that the student could appeal to the Melaka Tengah district health officer to reduce the fine.
Sources: Harian Metro (1)(2), NST, Sabah Post, MalaysiaKini, The Star (1)(2). / Featured Image: MMO.
