Burger Seller Fined RM50K For Opening Past 10PM In Kelantan, Says Stall Was Only Open For Takeaway

Burger seller fined RM50K in Kelantan

The pandemic hasn’t been an easy ride for anyone. Coupled with possible fines for failing to observe COVID-19 safety guidelines, or SOPs, Malaysians struggling to make a living are put in tough spots. One such example is this burger seller who was fined RM50,000 in Kelantan after his stall was found operating past permitted hours there.

After his story went viral, with numerous netizens lamenting the hefty fine, authorities have come out to clarify that maximum fines for businesses operating past permitted opening hours during the Movement Control Order (MCO) is now capped at RM10,000.

Hefty fine for burger stall set up outside home

On 26th April 2021, the owner of Faisal Burger shared on Facebook the challenge he faced during the fasting month when 5 police officers dropped by his stall around 11PM to issue the fine.

Authorities had received a complaint, and found that he was opening his stall past permitted hours of 10PM for businesses under the MCO on 25th April.

This follows as all districts in Kelantan are now placed under the MCO till 29th April to help curb the rising number of COVID-19 cases there.

Burger seller RM50K fine - Faisal
Image credit: Faisal Burger

In an interview with Free Malaysia Today, the owner, Faisal, lamented that the fine was too much for a burger stall, which happens to be operating on the compounds of his house in Kota Bharu.

He had been only doing takeaway orders as well, and did not set out any tables at his stall. He also shared that there were no customers at his stall when the police officers dropped by.

Nonetheless, the police let him know that he could have his fine reduced to RM1,000 if he made an appeal with authorities. According to the notice he received, Faisal has until 9th May to pay the fine.

Burger seller RM50K fine - fine
Image credit: Faisal Burger

A report from Bernama on 26th April quoted Kota Bharu district police chief ACP Abdul Rahim Daud saying that Faisal had been issued the fine for operating past 10PM, and for tables seen set out at the premises and the absence of a temperature scanner there.

Faisal had also been previously fined RM1,000 for similar SOP violations prior to the incident on 25th April.

Maximum fines for operating hour breaches now RM10K

Faisal’s Facebook post, which received over 7,000 shares and 8,000 reactions at the time of writing, had many netizens questioning the high fines for the burger seller.

As such, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, issued a response saying that fines for breaching operating hours are capped at RM10,000, as reported by Malay Mail.

It is also recognised as a Category 3 Offence – among the likes of other MCO-related offences in the same category such as not physical distancing and failing to wear a face mask in public. They are considered offences with low risk of transmission and impact.

Takiyuddin also reiterated that early payments of fines are subject to discounts of 50% if paid within the week.

Burger seller fined RM50K for operating past 10PM

There have been numerous stories cropping up of individuals being issued hefty fines for not adhering to SOPs. While they serve as a deterrence, they can also be tough on many small businesses who are trying to make ends meet. So we hope that fines are carried out according to guidelines made known to the public, and that every one else will take heed to follow safety measures to help reduce our daily COVID-19 cases.