Categories for MCO-related offences and fines
We’ve all been doing our best to adhere to SOPs since the Movement Control Order was enforced exactly a year ago. But recent news of individuals getting hit with RM10,000 fines for minor offences – such as not checking in for contact tracing – has drawn even more attention to the issue of SOP compliance.
Luckily, the government has since outlined MCO-related offences that’ll warrant a RM10K fine, and minor ones that will not. This comes after an earlier announcement that discussions for these fines were in the works to clear up confusion after a whopping 600 individuals were fined RM10K in just 2 days.
Offences now sorted into 3 categories
No longer will a failure to wear a mask land you an RM10,000 fine, as MCO-related offences and fines are now sorted into 3 categories – based on the risk level of COVID-19 spread and its impact in communities. Not wearing a mask is classified in the less severe 3rd category.
Image (for illustration purposes only) credit: GSC
This was announced by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, in a press conference yesterday, 17th March, as reported by The Star.
While not a definite list as of yet, you’ll want to take note of the categories in the meantime so you don’t end up with a fine of any amount.
Category One – offences with high risk of transmission and impact
- Pubs or nightclubs operating during the MCO – RM50,000
- Individuals visiting a pub or nightclub, for food or other reasons – RM10,000
- Private medical practitioners who don’t inform the Ministry of Health of Malaysia (KKM) of positive COVID-19 cases – RM5,000
- Failure to listen to authorities, and COVID-19 positive individuals and Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) who don’t follow health officers’ instructions – RM5,000
Category Two – high risk of transmission but low impact
- Not disclosing information that will help contain the spread of COVID-19 – RM4,000 for individuals, and RM20,000 for companies
- Failure to listen to authorities while inside Enhanced MCO area – RM4,000
- Entry without permission into an EMCO area – RM3,000
Category Three – low risk of transmission and impact
- Businesses operating past standard opening hours during the MCO – RM10,000
- Not wearing a face mask – RM1,500 for first-time offences
- Not registering details through MySejahtera or logbooks – RM1,500 for first-time offences
- Not physical distancing – RM1,500
Discounts on fines for early birds
Nobody wants to end up with a fine, but if you do end up with one, you’ll now have ways to cut down the hefty sums that come with MCO-related offences. This is because all fines stemming from MCO-related offences are now subject to discounts if paid in a timely manner, as reported by Malay Mail.
Pay fines within 7 days, or a week, and you’ll get a 50% discount. For example, if faced with a RM1,500 fine, you’ll only have to pay RM750. This also applies to RM10,000 fines for individuals, and RM50,000 fines for companies.
Image credit: The Smart Local Singapore
If you’re not able to pay your fines within the week, there’ll still be a 25% discount for fines paid within 14 days, or 2 weeks. After this grace period, however, you’ll be subject to paying the full fine.
Nonetheless, those who cannot afford to pay due to financial difficulties or pre-existing medical conditions can appeal with the Health Ministry to have their fines lowered. This may be granted if relevant documents can be presented to attest to your case.
MCO-related offences and fines sorted into categories
Many have been issued fines of up to RM10,000 since its enforcement, with a recent case of a 17-year-old Melakan teen hit with a RM10K fine for not registering his details while at a grocery store, as reported by The Star.
So this list outlining categories for offences comes in a timely manner, and is a reminder for us all to adhere to SOPs to the best that we can while we wait our turns for the vaccines.
Read more news here:
- 1.4 million M’sians with incomplete vaccination registrations
- Crowds spotted at Ferry Terminals as travel resumes between RMCO states
- Man fined RM10K for not registering for contact tracing
Cover image (for illustration purposes only) adapted from: Malaysia Shopping Mall and Polis Diraja Malaysia (Royal Malaysia Police)
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