KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 3 — The police will be cancelling fines issued to those who were found to not be wearing face masks in private vehicles.

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that those who had already paid their fines to the Ministry of Health (MOH) for the said offence may claim back their payments.

"I already spoke to the police and the MOH, and the police will cancel the fines.

"If they already paid to MOH, they can claim back the payment from MOH,” he said.

Ismail Sabri acknowledged complaints on social media from those who were wrongly penalised for not wearing the masks in their own cars.

"That is not right. Like I said, public vehicles. Very clear,” he reiterated today.

"Private vehicles are not public transport. If we are bringing our family in our cars, there is no need then to wear face masks inside the car, because that is a private vehicle.”

On July 23, Ismail Sabri said face masks in crowded areas and on public transportation was mandatory starting August 1.

He said the recent increase in Covid-19 infections was worrying and noted the MOH’s concern about worsening compliance with the standard operating procedures to prevent the disease.

He said the decision was motivated by the increase in clusters recently identified by the ministr