Malaysia's government has come under fire for a meagre fine for a crowded event

[ASEAN NOW Content Team]

 

Malaysia's government has been accused of applying double standards in implementing Covid-19 restrictions after an event it hosted violated safety protocols but only received a RM1,000 (S$325) punishment.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob kicked off the four-day event at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Thursday (Dec 9) to commemorate his government's first 100 days.

Over 100,000 people attended the rally, according to the government's Chief Secretary, Zuki Ali.

 

Critics from both sides of the political spectrum, as well as civil society groups, likened the punishment to fines of up to RM20,000 issued during last month's Melaka state elections, during which physical campaigning was prohibited, and the millions imposed on illegal parties in the capital.

"Is increasing the number of Covid-19 cases part of the next 100 days' KPI (key performance index)?"
President of the Malaysian Medical Association, Koh Kar Chai.

Lim Kit Siang, a mainstay of the opposition, also slammed the "chicken-feed" fine, saying it "highlights the government's absolute lack of commitment" in combating the pandemic.

 

For the previous seven months, infection levels have been consistently above 4,000 cases per day.
On Sunday, the number of new cases fell below 4,000 for the first time since May.

"Yet, Ismail Sabri may give the Cabinet a 90 percent for its 100-day performance, making Malaysia the new object of international ridicule and humiliation," said Mr Lim, an Iskandar Puteri MP.

 

The event's organiser, the Prime Minister's Department's section, has been chastised by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who claims that the "congested scenario, lack of physical separation, and poor crowd control enhanced the likelihood of Covid-19 spreading."

"The event... was tainted by the organizer's failure to follow SOPs.
We, as a government, should be role models for best practises "Mr. Khairy was referring to standard operating procedures when he said this.

 

Nonetheless, he stated in a statement on Friday that his ministry no longer has the authority to impose fines of more than RM1,000 per person.
This was due to the withdrawal of emergency ordinances just one day before the event in Parliament.

Former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin enforced the state of emergency from January to August, during which time Datuk Seri Ismail served as a senior minister and then deputy Prime Minister.

On Thursday night, however, police stormed a Kuala Lumpur nightclub and handed a total of RM245,000 in fines, including an RM25,000 charge for the club's proprietor.

 

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