KUALA LUMPUR: The act of inciting the public to refuse the Covid-19 vaccine will be categorised as an offence under Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, which will come into effect next week.
Senior Minister (Security cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob likened the offence to treason with the intention of intimidating the public.
"Yesterday, I was informed that the Inspector-General of Police and deputy have issued a statement that it is an offence that can be prosecuted.
"Through the amended Emergency Ordinance, immediate action can be taken against them (offenders)," he said during a press conference today.
Ismail Sabri was responding to a question on whether those who try to convince the public to refuse the Covid-19 vaccine can be penalised under the amended Emergency Ordinance.
The ordinance, which comes into force on March 11, will also see those who violate the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic fined a maximum of RM10,000.
Companies or corporations which violate the SOP, meanwhile, can be fined up to RM50,000.