MP claims corruption complaints in RM1k mask fines, wants appeal process
The government should ensure there is a platform for recourse for those slapped with RM1,000 fines for face mask-related violations, said Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.
Kok said while she appreciated the government's intention of curbing the spread of Covid-19, the DAP lawmaker said she had also received complaints about the potential abuse of power.
The government should ensure there is a platform for recourse for those slapped with RM1,000 fines for face mask-related violations, said Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.
Kok said while she appreciated the government's intention of curbing the spread of Covid-19, the DAP lawmaker said she had also received complaints about the potential abuse of power.
"The government should also be mindful at the same time that inevitably, there will be abuses of power and corruption by enforcement officers.
"My proposals will alleviate public grouses of there being no avenue for aggrieved persons, to lodge complaints or to seek appeals against disproportionate fines.
"I have received complaints that some enforcement officers are intentionally making life difficult for business owners. There are allegations of corruption," she said in a statement.
Kok also backed her colleagues Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii and Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi's petition for the compound to be reduced to RM250 for first-time offenders.
"The current blanket imposition of a flat RM 1,000 compound fine is unconscionable and disproportionate for all transgressions, no matter how trivial.
Kok pointed out the example of a student who was slapped with a RM1,000 fine for not wearing his face mask properly, calling it "appalling".
"Hence, my suggestion of setting up a special committee or an ombudsman to review the harsh penalties imposed is timely, given that the pandemic has already caused enough suffering on the rakyat," she said.
She added the move would also safeguard the image and integrity of law enforcement agencies.
In a separate statement, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said all 42 DAP MPs would be supporting the petition by Wong and Yii.
He noted that the RM250 figure was suggested as Foreign Affairs Minister Hishammuddin Hussein paid a RM250 fine when he was recently caught vaping in the Dewan Rakyat.
"If a rich minister is only fined RM250, why can't a common rakyat be fined the same amount of RM250 for not wearing a face mask?" said Lim.
He added that enforcement of the compound must also be conducted against ministers and others in power, rather than just targeting ordinary citizens.
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