PETALING JAYA, Feb 26 (Sin Chew Daily) — Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) executive director Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan said instead of increasing the fines for violating COVID-19 SOPs, the government should perhaps educate the public to fend off the virus.

He told Sin Chew Daily there is no need for heavier fines for violating the SOPs now that the national immunization program has been rolled out.

He said the maximum RM10,000 fine for individuals and RM50,000 for companies are too heavy.

"I believe majority of people will not deliberately flout the rules. The government should punish repeat violators and not slap heavy penalties on first-time violators.

"Rules are made to protect the public from getting infected, not to punish and fine people.

"Meanwhile, MEF will continue to convey the information to its members in battling the virus and complying with the SOPs."