MOH to re-evaluate RM50,000 compound issued to burger seller

PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Health (MOH) will re-evaluate the case of a burger seller in Kelantan who was issued a RM50,000 compound on Sunday for violating the Movement Control Order (MCO), including operating beyond 10 pm, on whether to give a reduction or an exemption.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said the ministry is very concerned about the burger seller’s plight and takes the case seriously, urging the offender to appeal against the compound as soon as possible.

“The ministry views this as a special case and it needs to be addressed immediately," he said in a statement here today.

Earlier, the burger seller, in a viral social media posting claimed that he was slapped with the maximum penalty of RM50,000 for operating a burger stall in front of his house at around 11 pm.

Dr Adham said the purpose of the ministry in enforcing the law and issuing compounds is to educate and not just merely to punish.

"Those who were issued compounds were always given an opportunity to defend themselves and were allowed to file an appeal according to the stipulated mechanism,” he added.

In this regard, the ministry will re-evaluate the case whether to give a reduction or an exemption if there is a reasonable ground,” Dr Adham said.

In KOTA BHARU, Kelantan police chief Datuk Shafien Mamat said they would call all owners of business premises who were issued compounds, including the burger seller who was fined RM50,000 that went viral on social media yesterday.

Shafien said the reason for calling them would be to offer them a compound rate in accordance with the guidelines (of compound and discount rate) set for the offence under Act 342.

-- BERNAMA