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PETALING JAYA: Raising the compound fine for violating Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) to RM10,000 is wrong in every way.

It is unconstitutional, violates the fundamental principles of law and is open to abuse, according to a lawyer and a human rights activist.

Andrew Khoo, a constitutional lawyer who focuses on human rights, told theSun that making the district health officer the final authority to determine the quantum of the fine could lead to abuse of power.

Violation of the SOP is punishable under the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 (Act 342).

The fine has been raised from RM1,000 to RM10,000 and the new quantum came into effect last Friday.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador had said that all fines related to SOP breaches will show an amount of RM10,000 on the summons.

However, that is only to specify the maximum fine, and the final quantum will be determined by the district health officer.

Khoo said instead of it being used as an instrument to enforce a reasonable law, the amendment can end up being misused to oppress and bully.

“To assume that people will know how to appeal for a lower sum means that the initial amount is wholly disproportionate, it violates a fundamental principle of law that the punishment must be proportionate to the offence,” he said.