KUALA LUMPUR: Put them behind bars!

This is the view of experts to address the increasing number of people violating the mandatory home quarantine order and standard operating procedures (SOPs) during the Recovery Movement Control Order and Targeted Enhanced Movement Control Order.

Crime analyst Kamal Affandi Hashim said some people felt a sense of entitlement with regard to the rules and thought the compound of RM1,000 for compulsory home quarantine and SOPs violators limited their freedom.

He said this group thought the rules did not apply to them.

“The act and the SOPs are meant to prevent the spread of a communicable disease. The rules are to prevent infection within the community and to stop the virus from spreading to other states.

“There are people who think they can do whatever they want because of their social class or education background.

“Perhaps these quarters are under the impression that they will get the support of family members and others if they get caught breaching the home quarantine.

“This lot should be slapped with a compound that is more than RM1,000 for their attitude, or send them to jail for 14 days.”

Kamal said guardians and parents of people who flout the home quarantine order should also be held accountable.

“This will serve as a lesson to parents and guardians of people who should be observing quarantine. There are consequences if their loved ones fail to comply with the SOPs.”

Criminologist Associate Professor Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy of Universiti Sains Malaysia said jail time could serve as a deterrent to others from committing the same offence.

“If this problem (flouting the home quarantine order and SOPs) persists, this may reflect that the compound does not seem to have any effect on the public.

“If this is the case, isolate those who fail to comply with the guidelines on home quarantine. Isolate them in prison for one or two weeks. Let others see the repercussion if they breach the home quarantine order.”

He said people should not view the home quarantine order as something meant to make their lives difficult.

“This virus is out there. Everyone, irrespective of whether you are in the low-risk group or otherwise, is susceptible to infection.

“Hence, issues related to those who violate the home quarantine order as well as those who fail to show up for the second Covid-19 test should not be taken lightly as this poses a threat to society.

“They may spread the virus to other innocent people. In a worst case scenario, some people may die. The consequences of their actions and their failure to comply with SOPs or adhere to guidelines are serious.”

This article first appeared on NST.