By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Oct 2: Seven offenders who violated the Movement Control Order (MCO) rules have been sentenced for imprisonment for failing to pay the fine imposed on them.
The State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) in a statement today said one offender was also ordered to undergo the “Compulsory Attendance Order” punishment under Section 5 (b), Offenders Compulsory Attendance Act 1954.
The committee added five offenders have also been commanded to undergo the “Bond of Good Behaviour” for a year and if failed to abide by the rules, a fine of RM1,000 will be imposed.
SDMC said 10 cases have been discharged not amounting to acquittal by the magistrate as the violators could not be identified or the summons were unable to be fully paid up by the violators.
The committee added that a total of 471 compounds that have expired were yet to be settled by offenders.
SDMC said out of that amount, 303 investigation papers have been opened and 231 investigation papers have been referred to the deputy public prosecutors’ office.
The committee said 72 cases were still under investigation in which the payment period of the compound expired.
It said a total of 139 investigation papers have received permission for charges from deputy public prosecutors and 129 investigation papers have been registered in court.
At the moment, the committee asserted that 103 prosecution have been conducted while 17 cases have been fined with a total amount of RM14,200.
SDMC said since the enforcement of the MCO until August 31, a total of 1,987 compounds have been issued with an amount of RM1.98 million for various offences under the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Regulations 2020 in Sarawak.
The committee said 1,516 compounds or 76.29 per cent which involved an amount of RM1.498 million have been settled.
It added that 471 compounds or 23.71 per cent have yet to be paid.
SDMC explained that the Ministry of Health has appointed officers from the Royal Malaysian Police Force, The People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) and officers from a few agencies under Section 3 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Act 342) to enforce the MCO.
The committee said whoever found to be in breach of the rules will be fined not more than RM1,000 or imprisonment or both.
It pointed out that those who violated the law can also be compounded with RM1,000. — DayakDaily
