PETALING JAYA: News in regards to the RM1,000 fine issued on the organiser of the 100-day Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia occasion has not gone down effectively with Malaysians who felt the sum was too small.
Comments left on The Star’s Facebook confirmed their dissatisfaction. Many questioned the fine quantity, stating that non-public companies had been hit with heftier fines.
A netizen, who glided by the title of Indran Gegathesa, requested why the organiser was fined solely RM1,000 whereas a current pool celebration in Kuala Lumpur led to compounds of about RM1.5mil.
Last Sunday, 303 celebration goers had been detained through the celebration held at a non-public membership. The RM1.5mil in compound fines included a fine of RM25,000 every being given to the membership supervisor and the celebration organiser.
“Pool party got fined RM1.5mil, whereas this was fined only RM1,000? What’s the rationale for the ‘discount’ here?” Indran stated.
On Friday, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin stated that the RM1,000 compound was issued to the Shared Prosperity Delivery Unit (Sepadu) of the Prime Minister’s Department, which was the organiser of the four-day occasion held on the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Khairy stated the RM1,000 was the utmost fine below the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act.
Photos of massive crowds on the occasion, through which attendees breached bodily distancing guidelines, had been circulated on-line.
One Facebook commentator, Tim Mah, stated:
“A fine of RM10,000 to RM25,000 to business owners for violating a similar SOP. This is ridiculous standard.”
Ben Lau Ck requested why the compound was solely issued to the organiser.
“Why not individuals? Those in pubs are compounded individually. Another double standard?” he requested.
Syariza Yahya referred to as for a RM50,000 fine. “Baru puas hati rakyat (only then will the people be satisfied),” she stated.
As for Asger Abdul Wahab, he stated there had been heavy fines when the folks violated Covid-19 guidelines. “(But) if government related agencies, cheaper fine. Hope there is no double standard,” he posted.
Parameswaran Ponniah requested: “What about those who attended? Recently, the people who had partied at a pool side were fined!”
Opposition politicians have joined within the fray as effectively.
Klang MP Charles Santiago described it as half-hearted enforcement of Covid-19 guidelines at a authorities occasion.
Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng questioned why the federal government had organised the occasion within the first place.
“Knowing that the turnout would cause a problem in terms of social distancing, why was this event allowed? Why wasn’t a hybrid event conducted?” he requested.
