The government may consider raising the compound and fines against those who violate the directives of the Movement Control Order (MCO) from the existing RM1,000.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government was serious about reconsidering it as the number of detainees were still high despite entering the 24th day of the MCO.

Besides increasing the compound and fine, he said the jail term should also be extended so as to make it a lesson to other Malaysians.

“If we look at Singapore, (effective) April 17, the fine on the first offender is SD10,000 (RM30,492), the second offender is SD20,000 (RM60,948). In South Korea, the first offender is fined RM35,000. In Indonesia, my guess is 300 million rupiahs (RM82,000).

"We may want to ask the Ministry of Health to discuss with the Attorney General's Chambers, if necessary, we can raise the fine and compound.

"Jail term can also be added to serve as a deterrent to ensure that there is no violation of the MCO," he said at a COVID-19 daily media conference in Putrajaya today.

Regulation 7 (1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures Within the Infected Local Area) 2020, provides for a maximum fine of RM1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding six months or both, upon conviction.

Earlier, Ismail Sabri, who is also the Defence Minister, said the police had detained 666 individuals, of whom 392 were each served a compound of RM1,‪000. 263‬ others remanded while another 11 released on police bail.

"The total number of arrests for violating the MCO from March 18 to April 9, 2020 was 7,479," he added.

In addition, he said, the police and the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) had set up 775 roadblocks nationwide with 508,605 vehicles and 5,538 premises inspected besides 38,854 surprise checks conducted.