KUALA LUMPUR: Psychological fatigue, optimism bias and low community spirit have been listed as the possible reasons why Malaysians continue to flout the Recovery Movement Control Order's (RMCO) standard operating procedures (SOP).
Despite the issuance of fines and constant reminders by the authorities for the public to adhere to the rules, arrests have remained on an upward trajectory, highlighting the continued risk of Covid-19 infection within the community.
The SOP breaches include failure to practise physical distancing, involvement in pub and nightclub activities, breaching Enhanced MCO (EMCO) travel parameters, as well as not wearing face masks.
Consultant psychiatrist Associate Professor Dr Amer Siddiq Amer Nordin from Universiti Malaya cited psychological fatigue, optimism bias and low community spirit as three possible reasons why people were still flouting the rules.
"People are starting to get tired of complying and are slowly pacing their attitudes towards present rules. It doesn't help that some people appear to be able to get away with 'bending these rules' which signals that it's okay to be a bit more relaxed in their approach," he told the New Straits Times.
He said optimism bias was a situation where, for instance, people believe they would not be affected by Covid-19.
"When cases were low and are not in the state that the individual is at, people tend to overestimate their risk.
"It's possibly not going to happen to us. However, as we know, this virus does not care who you are, and the only reason some of us are safer is because everyone is playing their part in combating this.
"The moment we have a critical number of people who are with this bias, more people will stop adhering to the rules and the spread (of the coronavirus) will continue." Amer added that community spirit was also needed to curb the spread of the disease, in which everyone needed to play their part.
"It is akin to (preparing for) vaccination and herd community. This requires a shared belief that we are working towards a similar goal, and our participation is meaningful.
"Let us all do our part for Malaysia as we wait for a vaccine. To be rid of this virus requires a community effort from everyone."
Amer noted that while fines play a part in deterring people from flouting the SOP, enforcement of these fines should be done regularly and, more importantly, be fair to all.
Perceived injustice, he said, would make it a challenge for the authorities to enforce such rules on the masses and could lead to an increased indifference.
Currently, he said, many people were struggling with the present rules, which could lead to resentment and anger.
"People not complying and now, with the rise in cases does not bode well for them and others like them.
"If the MCO is declared again, domestic tourism will be affected. That's the last thing anyone wants. We've all been there. The struggle is real.
"We need to continue the narrative which is that everyone matters in this pandemic. Everyone needs to play their part, especially our leaders in walking the talk."
Prof Datuk Dr Teo Kok Seong, a principal fellow at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Institute of Ethnic Studies, said existing compounds were not deterrent enough and called for the fines to be increased to a level that would "really frighten" the EMCO/ RMCO SOP would-be offenders.
Besides a hefty fine, he said a "no right to bail" while waiting to be charged as well as a mandatory jail term could be looked into as immediate measures.
"This (hefty fines and punishment) should be seen as an honest effort for the good of many who have a good attitude.
"All these may be not be seen as civil in this age, but since the pandemic is potentially fatal, this seems to be the only way to curb such irresponsible behaviour."
Under the present Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342), offenders could be compounded or brought to court, with the offence punishable with a maximum penalty of RM1,000 fine and a six-month jail.
The Health Ministry, had on Aug 26, said it had been proposed that the fine for compoundable offences under Act 342 be raised to RM10,000. The revised figure has been submitted to Parliament and would take some time to be passed, it added.
Teo said the continued SOP breaches constituted an "attitude problem", where people display not only uncooperative behaviour, but are also hostile when asked to follow the SOP.
"Social factors are making them disobey, have a negative attitude, be indifferent, irresponsible, selfish and thoughtless."
These bad traits, he said, should in the long run be fixed through education from as early as in kindergartens.
"Through socialisation in schools, a system of values can be cultivated successfully as done in many other countries, namely Japan."