As announced by the Malaysian Prime Minister yesterday, the movement restriction order will be imposed, starting from March 18 to March 31. This two-week restriction is to be taken seriously as this is the effort to tackle the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Malaysia.
According to Sinar Harian, individuals who failed to follow the movement restriction order could be imprisoned for two years or fined or both under Section 24 Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.
In the report, a lawyer, Syazlin Mansor mentioned that this punishment is for the first-time offender, while the punishment could be more serious for offenders who are not first-timers where the imprisonment could be prolonged to not more than five years or fined or both.
However, if the offender keeps on committing the same crime, that individual could be fined for not more than RM200 for each day if he or she continues.
"Section 15 (1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act provides that any officer authorized to order a person to be quarantined at home," explained Syazlin to Sinar Harian.