SIBU, April 27: Recreational activity is among activities prohibited under the special movement restriction of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) here which is in effect until May 10.
Eleven persons which included three women aged between 22 to 45 however were caught playing mahjong yesterday afternoon.
All 11 individuals, according to Sibu District police chief ACP Stanley Jonathan Ringgit, were issued compounds of RM2,000 each.
“The raid at 1.50pm yesterday was conducted on a social club at Jalan Pedada by the Criminal Investigation Department under Op Dadu Khas,” he said.
When the police team arrived at the premises, they found the door on the upper floor locked. However the sound of mahjong tiles being shuffled could be heard clearly.
Upon opening the door, the 11 persons in the room were shocked to see the police team.
Stanley said the 11 persons had committed an offence under Section 6 (1) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 for illegal gambling and under Rule 11 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (No. 4) Regulations 2021 for not adhering to physical distancing and involvement in illegal gambling.
Items seized by the police during the raid consisted of 280 mahjong tiles, 100 chips, eight plastic chairs, and two wooden tables.
“We subsequently released them on police bail to avoid congestion at the police lockup and as a precaution to prevent the spread of Covid-19 infection,” Stanley added. — DayakDaily
