PETALING JAYA: The government is considering heavier penalties for those flouting the movement control order (MCO), especially for businesses.
Senior minister for security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said businesses such as entertainment centres, nightclubs and others opening beyond the allowed opening times seem to be taking the RM1,000 fine imposed under Act 342 lightly.
Therefore, he said under the emergency, ordinances can be passed to allow for heavier fines and longer jail term for individuals and businesses.
He said that along with the heavier penalties, authorities may also take stricter action against employers who refuse to send their workers for swab tests or fail to provide adequate and conducive housing and accommodation for their workers under Act 466.
“Now that it is the emergency, ordinances can be enacted. We have already asked the Attorney-General Chambers (AGC) to look into this,” he said.
“I believe that once the AGC approve, we can implement this immediately. Therefore the public should comply with the SOPs, don’t wait for action to be taken,” he said.
Meanwhile, on the number of arrests yesterday, Ismail said 577 individuals were detained for various offences under the MCO.
There were 545 individuals who were given compounds while 32 were remanded.
The authorities under Op Benteng also detained 12 illegal immigrants and confiscated five vehicles.
Source: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/01/21/higher-penalties-likely-for-mco-offenders/