Mahjong players, shop owner fined RM14,500 for violating SOPs

Photo composite shows police personnel and soldiers removing gambling paraphernalia from the shop.

SIBU, July 29: Four persons including the owner of a shop have been compounded a total of RM14,500 for violating the Movement Control Order (MCO) standard operating procedures (SOPs) today.

Sibu District Police Chief ACP Stanley Jonathan Ringgit said the 66-year-old shop owner received a heavier compound of RM10,000 for letting his premises be used by the other three to play mahjong.

He said the trio aged between 48 and 60 were compounded RM1,500 each for not observing social distancing while playing mahjong.

The compounds were issued under Rule 17(1) the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures Within Infection Local Areas) Regulations 2021

“At about 1am, an integrated SOP monitoring team led by ASP Kushairy Bujang went to the shop. After introducing themselves to the owner of the shop, they found three persons engaging in a game of mahjong,” Stanley said.

The trio were found sitting at a table meant for two persons and thus not observing social distancing.

Stanley said the enforcement team seized a mahjong table, a set of mahjong tiles, four plastic chairs and 187 chips of various colours. — DayakDaily