PUNITIVE measures increase the risk of double standards and victimisation of people, said Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy on the second reading of the proposed amendments to the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act (Pcida) 1988 (Act 342).

Its chief executive officer Azrul Mohd Khalib said the amendments known as RUU 342 currently include increasing the maximum compound from RM1,000 to RM5,000 for individuals violating this law.