The Deputy Home Minister I, Datuk Seri Ismail Mohamed Said has said that a total of 10 individuals were being charged for falsifying Covid-19 vaccination certificates so far.
He said that there were several laws which can be use against these irresponsible individuals and the 10 individuals have not been charged, with one found guilty.
“They include four from Perak, two from Sabah, another two from Melaka, and one each from Kelantan and Sarawak.” he said, in response to a question raised by Shaharizukirnain Abd Kadir in the Parliament session yesterday (15 September).
Meanwhile, he said those who are found guilty for forging or falsifying their vaccination certificates can face a maximum fine of RM100,000 and a jail sentence of up to seven years, or both.
He added that the court in Sarawak had imposed a fine and jail term on one of the suspect after he was found guilty.
Ismail also said individuals who were found falsifying or forging the vaccination certificate can be charged under Section 22 (d) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).
“Compound action can be imposed immediately if they are found guilty to save time and raise public awareness. At the same time, further investigations can be carried out in accordance with the provisions of existing law, which is either under Act 342 or the Penal Code.” he said.
The prosecuting authorities could then issue compound notices of not more than RM10,000 to individuals and not more than RM50,000 to companies if charges are not brought to court.
On the other hand, he said the Health Ministry and the Science, Innovation and Technology Ministry were looking into a verification system to avoid falsification or forging of digital vaccination certificates.
As for foreign students whose visas had expired, Ismail advised them to contact the Immigration Department to discuss their plight.
“The students can come to the Immigration Department and we will advise them accordingly.” he said.
This remark was made after Dr Maszlee Malik raised a question regarding the complaints he received from foreign students who claimed they were forced to leave the country to renew their expired student visas before returning.
Ismail then asked Maszlee to provide the particulars and further information of the affected students for him to look into the matter.
