68 individuals charged in several states for violating MCO
KUALA LUMPUR: Day-20 of the Movement Control Order (MCO) saw 68 individuals charged in court in several states for violating the order including gathering to buy nasi lemak, playing games and showing obscene gestures to police.
The charges against them include failing to comply with the MCO by moving from one place to another within infected areas under Regulation 3 (1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020 which provides for a fine of RM1,000 and a jail term of not more than six months, or both, upon conviction.
Some were also charged with obstructing civil servants from carrying out their duties during the MCO period, filed under Section 186 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum jail term of two years or a maximum fine of RM10,000, or both, upon conviction.
In Penang, 24 individuals including seven teenagers and a nasi lemak seller were charged at the George Town Magistrate Magistrate’s Court for gathering to purchase packed nasi lemak.
All the accused, aged 16 to 40, pleaded guilty of committing the offence at a house in Mukim 3, Sungai Pinang, Balik Pulau, at 2am.
Magistrate Nur Azzuin Abdul Moati ordered 17 of them including two women to be sentenced to community service over a three-month period.
In the case of the seven juveniles, the court set June 18 for mention for the submission of social reports before sentencing, and they were released on bail of RM1,000 each in one surety.
In a separate court, businessman M Mathialagan, 40, pleaded not guilty to four charges, namely of driving against traffic, making an obscene gesture at a police officer, obstructing a civil servant from carrying out his duties, and for defying the MCO.
He was charged under Section 42 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 with riding a motorcycle in a reckless and dangerous manner at the Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway at 12.15am on April 3, which provides for a maximum jail term of five years and a fine of between RM5,000 and RM15,000 upon conviction.
Mathialagan was also accused of heading out of his home in Pengkalan Weld to the Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway with no reasonable purpose as stipulated under the MCO, at the same time and date.
On the third count, Mathialagan was charged with humiliating police officer Jyillson Mudi by making an obscene gesture and uttering profanity in front of the Jalan Patani Police Station guardhouse, under Section 509 of the Penal Code which provides for a jail term of up to five years, or a fine, or both upon conviction.
He was also charged with obstructing Jyillson by acting aggressively and attempting to run away during an arrest under Section 186 of the Penal Code.
The court allowed Mathialagan bail at RM12,000 in one surety for all the charges and set June 16 for mention.
In Kuala Lumpur, 22 individuals aged between 20 and 58 including several foreigners from Indonesia, Myanmar and Nepal were charged for violating the MCO, with sentences ranging from a few days to a week in jail and fines of between RM500 and RM1000.
In Kedah, four men, including a 17-year-old, pleaded guilty at the Sungai Petani Magistrate’s Court here on charges of violating the MCO in Bedong on March 31 and April 1.
Magistrate Nurul Ainna Ahmad meted out the maximum fine of RM1,000 in default three months’ jail on three men aged 21 to 41, while the juvenile’s case was set for mention on May 6, pending a social report.
In Pahang, ten individuals including five juveniles, aged between 16 and 26, were charged at the Kuantan Magistrate’s Court for violating the MCO.
Magistrate Nurul Farahah Mohd Suah meted out sentences ranging from three days in jail to fines of between RM300 to RM600 for the adults, while those underaged were allowed bail pending social reports before the sentencing set for May 20.
In Terengganu, seven men were brought to the Dungun Magistrate’s Court, with four including a teenager charged with gathering to loiter and play games.
The four, aged between 17 and 34, pleaded guilty to committing the offence at the storeroom of a house in Kampung Sura Hujung, at 11.30pm April 4.
Magistrate Hazwanie Husain Bustari allowed bail at RM900 in one surety for each of the accused and set May 6 for sentencing.
Three other men aged between 21 and 27 pleaded guilty to violating the MCO at a traffic light junction at 11.45pm, April 3.
The three motorcyclists were charged with failing to stop when flagged down by the police, besides acting aggressively when arrested, and were granted bail at RM3,500 in one surety each, pending sentencing on May 6.
Bernama
