In a national address, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said legal action may also be taken against any stakeholder in the supply chain of a business or in the management of foreign workers, including employers, agents and subcontractors found flouting SOPs.

He said the heftier fines will be imposed on repeat offenders or those who were let off earlier with warnings.

He added that disciplinary action could be taken against civil servants found defying SOPs, including in their work-from-home policy.

“The emergency management technical committee has studied the provisions under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1998 (Act 342) that need to be amended to enable tougher and quicker action.

“I urge the industries and public to comply strictly with the SOPs imposed by the government. The government has listened to your views by not shutting down the economy during the MCO.

“Please reciprocate by complying with the SOPs to ensure businesses can continue to operate while helping to break the chain of Covid-19 in workplaces and the community,” he said.

Muhyiddin said the latest Covid-19 data showed that 59% of infections involved workplaces while the manufacturing sector has recorded 128 clusters, followed by the construction (82) and services (61) sectors.

He also maintained that the emergency proclaimed by the King was purely aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19 more effectively and to protect the people’s lives.

He also reiterated that he will advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to dissolve Parliament as soon as the Covid-19 situation is stable and a general election can be held safely.

“I urge my friends, whether in the government or opposition, to work together and join our efforts in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic by putting aside our political differences.”

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