By Adrian Lim
BINTULU, Aug 16: Bintulu MP Dato Sri Tiong King Sing warns business premises in Bintulu not to flout standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the prevention of Covid-19 after an entertainment outlet business owner and 60 individuals were compounded by the police on Saturday (Aug 14) for gathering there.
Tiong expressed anger and disappointment at the actions of the said owner who had gone against the law by resuming his business which is prohibited from operating under Phase Three of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
He reminded business owners and the public to comply with the law and cooperate with the authorities so as not to derail the government’s efforts to fight Covid-19.
“Whoever caught by the police for violating the SOPs and doing business secretly will be compounded.
“Do not think of finding leeway from abiding the SOP and allowing gatherings in a closed-door outlet.
“I urge the operators to think seriously about the consequences of violating the SOPs because it does not just affect the efforts of fighting Covid-19 while being compounded will also be burdensome to those affected,” he said in a press statement.
As such, Tiong supported the enforcement authorities restricting all premises from operating beyond 9pm.
In the meantime, he noted that only restaurants, coffee shops, bistros which sell food and eateries are allowed to open during Phase Three of the NRP while entertainment outlets, karaoke centres and nightclubs are prohibited from doing business.
On the incident last Saturday, Tiong disclosed a police team from the Bintulu Crime Investigation Department had issued compounds amounting to RM240,000 to 60 individuals and the owner of the entertainment outlet for gathering at the outlet located at Parkcity Commercial Square Phase Five.
He added that the said owner had attempted to conceal the gathering from the authorities by allowing 60 individuals to consume alcoholic drinks and have fun behind closed doors.
He reminded business operators to be mindful and not to violate Covid-19 SOPs so as not to derail the government’s efforts to curb the transmission of the coronavirus in Bintulu. — DayakDaily
