KUALA LUMPUR: It would appear that there is still confusion over the standard operating procedure (SOP) involving the wearing of face masks in public.
Is it a compoundable offence only if one does not wear a face mask in crowded places or is one required to have it on at all times when out in public?
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced on Dec 15, 2020 that individuals were not required to wear a face mask when they were alone in public places.
This led to Nur Izzati Aqilah Lokman Hakim from Segamat, Johor taking to Twitter to air her grouses for having been issued a compound for not wearing a face mask in what she claimed was a non-crowded public place.
"This morning, I went to my own cafè to prepare meals for my kids before sending my children to school. I was there before opening hours. I exited my car and went to get my youngest child from the passenger seat and there were no passersby around me.
"Suddenly, a patrol car stopped and the officer issued me a compound of RM1,000 for not wearing a face mask.
"I feel this is unfair because the place was not crowded and the shops next to my cafè were not even open yet," she told the New Straits Times when contacted.
Izzati said she confronted the officer on why she was fined as the SOP only required people to wear masks in crowded areas.
She said she would lodge a report to the authorities on the matter.