Health ministry to relook RM50,000 compound on burger seller

The health ministry says it will re-evaluate the case of a burger seller in Kelantan who was issued a RM50,000 compound on Sunday for violating the movement control order (MCO), including by operating beyond 10pm, and look into whether to give a reduction or an exemption.

Health Minister Dr Adham Baba said the ministry was very concerned about the burger seller’s plight and took the case seriously, urging the offender to appeal against the compound as soon as possible.

“The ministry views this as a special case and it needs to be addressed immediately,” he said in a statement today.

The burger seller, in a viral social media post, claimed that he was slapped with the maximum penalty of RM50,000 for operating a burger stall in front of his house at around 11pm.

Adham said the purpose of the ministry in enforcing the law and issuing compounds was to educate and not merely to punish.

“Those who are issued compounds are always given an opportunity to defend themselves and are allowed to file an appeal according to the stipulated mechanism,” he added.

“In this regard, the ministry will re-evaluate the case, whether to give a reduction or an exemption if there are reasonable grounds,” Adham said.