KUCHING: Six men were slapped with fines totalling RM20,000 after police caught them inside a cyber café at GalaCity, Jalan Tun Jugah last Monday.
Those in the group, aged between 23 and 34, were found violating the conditional movement control order (CMCO) standard operating procedures (SOPs) for being in a cyber café and premises operating past the allowed time.
Acting Kuching police chief Supt Merbin Lisa said at around 11pm, the team found the premises was still operating and failed to close at the time outlined by the government.
“Investigations found that the premises operated as an e-sports club where the premises operator and five patrons were compounded under Regulation 21A of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Regulations No.4 2021.
“The operator was issued a RM10,000 compound while the patrons were each issued a RM2,000 for the offence,” he said.
The compounds must be settled at the district health office within 14 days from the date the compound was issued.
Merbin stressed that the police will not be lenient in this matter and compound action will be issued to any individual found to be disobeying the SOPs under CMCO restrictions.
“With the emergence of new clusters in Kuching, the public are urged not to underestimate the spread of this pandemic and always abide by current instructions including the wearing of face mask in public places and practise physical distancing.
“Whereas for business premises, they should also continue to comply with the SOPs issued from time to time and ensure that body temperature scanners, customers logbook and sanitary fluids are always prepared and available for use,” he pointed out.
