KUALA LUMPUR: The government should clarify in no uncertain terms, on whether it has cancelled for good the proposed amendments to the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342), or it would table it in Parliament, at appropriate time, after making adjustments, said Tan Sri T.C Goh, President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong).
He added that whether the government plans to table the amendment bill in the Dewan Rakyat, or otherwise, it must ensure that the proposed penalties are not too harsh and unaffordable to both individuals and organizations.
He expressed this while commenting on the recent statement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob that the government has decided not to table the amendment to the Act 342 which sought heftier fines against offenders. He said the RM1,000 fine against those found flouting the Covid-19 prevention standard operating procedures (SOP) under the current Act stays.
Ismail Sabri, who is Umno vice-president, said this when delivering his winding up speech at the 2021 Umno general assembly, on 19 March.
Goh said Huazong welcomes and supports Prime Minister’s announcement, citing that it was in line with Huazong’s stand on the issue all this while, as well as the joint memorandum signed with the Malaysian Muslim Consumers’ Association (PPIM) and 60 other civil society organizations (CSOs), recently.
He however noted that following the Prime Minister’s statement, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin too has issued a statement stating that the government would make some adjustments to the said amendment bill, and to resubmit it for tabling in Parliament, at opportune time. But, whether the RM1,000 fine against those found flouting the Covid-19 prevention standard operating procedures (SOP) under the current Act would be maintained, Khairy said it will be deliberated by the Committee.
In a statement issued today, Goh who is also President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) thus hoped the government could better clarify on this matter, whether the proposed amendments to Act 342 has been cancelled for good or, it would be resubmit for tabling, after some adjustments?
He noted that the amendment bill was supposed to be tabled for second and third reading in the 4th session of the 14th Parliament last year, and on the last day of this Parliament session (which ended today), but it did not materialize following objections from policymakers from both sides of the divide.
He thus underscored that, if the government and the Ministry of Health intended to resubmit the amendment bill for tabling in Parliament, it should again gather feedback from the people, as well as policymakers from both sides of the divide, and the Health, Science and Innovation parliamentary special select committee (PSSC), so as to achieve greater consensus on the amendment bill.-pr/BNN
