“Although an additional amendment was brought today that reduces fines and compounds, Pakatan Harapan (PH) MPs are of the view that the bill still has wide space for abuse of power, corruption and double standards,” said PH secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

“Given that the stand of the Opposition leader has been conveyed to the prime minister, and with the government still committed to continuing with this bill, PH has taken the stand of not supporting the bill in the form that it has been tabled.

“I urge the government, especially the health minister, to withdraw this bill and hold in-depth discussions with the opposition,” he added in a statement.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, as well as several Umno leaders including former prime minister Najib Razak, had previously said they would not vote for the amendments because they considered the penalties excessive and disproportionate.

Tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, the amendments initially proposed a maximum fine of RM1 million on companies and organisations and up to RM10,000 on individuals who flout Covid-19 SOPs. Jail terms were also to be imposed.

In the revised bill, the maximum compound of RM10,000 for individuals has been maintained, but the maximum compound for companies has been halved to RM500,000.

The proposed maximum general penalty of a RM2 million fine for companies has not changed.

Currently, the maximum that individuals, companies and agencies can be compounded is RM1,000.