Two more traders were fined RM50,000 each for flouting the Movement Control Order’s (MCO) standard operating procedures (SOP) by operating beyond the stipulated hours.
Kelantan police chief Datuk Shafien Mamat said the two, who operate their business in the Kota Baru town area, were compounded by the police on the same day a burger seller was fined for committing a similar offence on Sunday night.
“The state police has decided to study this case properly by calling the three traders, including the burger seller to offer them the compound rate according to the guidelines set for offences under Act 342.
“The three will be called to the state police headquarters as soon as possible,” he said in a statement.
Shafien said police has stepped up its enforcement against those flouting the SOP following the drastic increase of Covid-19 cases in the state, which has resulted in the state being placed under the Movement Control Order (MCO) recently.
“Kelantan was placed under MCO from April 16 until 29. Between April 16 until yesterday, more than 200 compounds were issued to traders for flouting various SOP,” he added.
Shafien said police have received many reports from the public on premise owners for flouting the SOP.
“We will continue to carry out similar operations from time to time to nab those who refused to follow the SOP,” he added.
Earlier, de facto law minister Takiyuddin Hassan said compound notices issued for offences under the MCO must be based on government guidelines.
Takiyuddin said that according to the guidelines, licence holders or owners of premises who fail to abide by the opening times under the MCO are guilty of a Category 3 offence and can only be fined up to RM10,000.
Offenders are also entitled to a reduction by as much as 50% if they pay the compound within seven days, and up to 25% if payment is made within 14 days.
“The government has developed the guidelines on the amount of compound notices and discounts for various offences under Act 342 as a guide for enforcement authorities who are carrying out SOP compliance monitoring,” he said in a statement.
Takiyuddin said the issuing of compound notices was for the purpose of prevention and as a warning to offenders that everyone, including businesses, is responsible for curbing the Covid-19 pandemic, which is currently still critical.
Related report: 26 Apr, Burger seller fined a whopping RM50k for operating out of permissible trading hours