KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 — The organiser of the 100-Day Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia (AKM) Programme was slapped with a RM1,000 compound for failing to comply with the standard operating procedure (SOP) relating to Covid-19.
The compound was issued to the Shared Prosperity Delivery Unit (Sepadu) of the Prime Minister’s Department, as the organiser of the four-day event, from Thursday to Sunday, being held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin in a statement said the compound was issued for their failure to ensure physical distancing among the attendees, which led to congestion in the area, which was an offence under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 432).
Following that, he said the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) and Road Transport Department (RTD) summons payment counters made available at the KLCC, had been ordered to close immediately this afternoon.
“Further information of the summons payment methods and discounts will be announced later by the RMP. The Ministry of Health (MOH) will continue to monitor the programme and will not hesitate to issue more compounds to the organiser if they still fail to ensure compliance with the SOP,” he said.
For the record, a maximum compound of RM1,000 is imposable to any individual or organisation for defying the SOP after the revocation of the emergency ordinances on December 8.
According to Khairy, the organising of the event, which was supposed to showcase the 100-day achievements of the government, ministries and agencies involved, had been tarnished by both the organiser’s failure to ensure SOP compliance and the attendees’ failure to adhere to the SOP.
“It is regrettable and disappointing, especially after the organiser pledged their commitment to ensuring that the programme will be organised in full compliance with strict SOP, apart from continuous monitoring, control and enforcement.
“The congestion, the lack of physical distancing and lack of control over the number of attendees, posed a risk of Covid-19 transmission,” he said.
As such, he said as the ruling government, they should set an example and best practices, while adhering to the same standards imposed on the people.
— Bernama
