KUCHING: Sixteen individuals were each issued with a RM1,000 compound for failing to practice physical distancing in public areas.
District police chief ACP Awang Din Awang Gani said that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) compliance operation was carried out at two locations — Kuching Waterfront and an entertainment premises in Jalan Song here, last Sunday (Aug 23).
Police found 13 errant individuals at Kuching Waterfront. At the same location, they also arrested seven foreigners for the same offence.
Meanwhile, at the entertainment premises, three customers were also found in violation of SOP.
“The offenders, comprising 13 men and 10 women aged between 18 and 26, were taken to Kuching district police headquarters (IPD) for further action.
“The (16) locals were compounded in accordance with Regulation 3 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Infected Local Areas) (No. 7) Regulations 2020.
“The seven foreigners were arrested for further investigation and investigation papers will be referred to the Sarawak Deputy Public Prosecutor to obtain prosecution instructions in court,” he said in a statement.
ACP Awang Din pointed out that the locals were given a 14-day period from the date of the compound issued to pay the fines at the Kuching Division Health Office.
He added that in view of the recent cases reported in Sarawak, the public were urged to not take the pandemic lightly and should strive to break the transmission chain.
