KUCHING, March 31: The police have arrested a total of 276 people throughout Sarawak for defying the Movement Control Order (MCO) since March 18.
Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said just yesterday alone, 46 people were arrested for defying the order to stop further transmission of Covid-19.
“To-date, 83 people had been charged in court, with 63 of them pleading guilty. They were sentenced to jail terms between one to four months and fined between RM1,000 to RM2,000,” he revealed at a press conference today.
To strengthen enforcement, police will detain those defying the restriction by staying out between 7pm to 7am, under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Disease Act 1988.
Under Section 24 of the Act, offenders may be jailed no more than two years or fined, or both, if convicted.
During the MCO, those who obstruct any public servants in discharging their duties may also be charged under Section 186 of the Penal Code which is punishable with imprisonment which may extend to two years or with a fine which may extend to RM10,000, or both, if convicted.
Meanwhile, Dr Sim added that the State Disaster Management Committee is now looking at setting up more quarantine centres for Kuching.
“The Amiruddin Baki Education Leadership and Management Training Institute and the Inland Revenue Board (LDHN) Academy were proposed as additional quarantine centres to cope with any eventuality. In addition, we are also looking at the Royal Customs and Excise Academy,” he said. — DayakDaily
