KUALA LUMPUR: Authorities should consider a tier system for fining flouters of the regulation requiring the wearing of face masks in public.
Alliance for Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye suggested that under the proposed system, a first-time offender would be compounded RM300.
"If he commits the same offence again, impose a fine of RM500, and increase it to RM1,000 for a third offence," he said in a statement.
He noted though, that the first penalty should be sufficient for most offenders to think twice before repeating their action a second time, let alone a third.
"This way, the people's burden would be lessened, the law would be fairly enforced, and the objective of the new rules realised."
Lee also said slapping first-time offenders with a compound of RM1,000 is a tad excessive, especially at a time when many people are out of jobs or are eking out a meagre living due to the effects of Covid-19.
"The RM1,000 is more than what the poor farmers and fishermen take home monthly, also for most in the B40 group and urban poor."
Lim also urged the government to provide clearer definitions on several elements related to the compulsory face mask-wearing regulation.
"For instance, what constitutes a 'crowded place'? How many people in one area makes a place 'crowded'? What is the limit to the number of people who can occupy an area, say, in an R&R area?
"As of now, that interpretation is left to the law enforcers. As such, definitions may vary from one law enforcement officer to another.
"To be fair to the public, they should know clearly what is acceptable and what is not. This makes it easy for the law enforcer too, and there is no ambiguity," Lim said.
"Recently, the police were ordered to nullify or refund some summonses which were issued for dubious reasons. Those affected were arbitrarily issued the summonses. Now, the police are refunding or cancelling the summonses, although the number is small."
Lim said this emphasises his point that rules and regulations must not be left to law enforcers to interpret.
"The laws must all be precise and easy to understand by the layperson."
Starting from Aug 1, face mask wearing was made mandatory in crowded public places and on public transport nationwide.