Deterrent sentences being meted out by Penang courts, many MCO violators get jail and fine

GEORGE TOWN: Deterrent sentences of two weeks' jail and a RM1,000 fine are being meted out to those brought before the court for violating the movement control order (MCO) here.

Defence counsel Cheah Eng Soon told the media that many of the accused he was representing were given custodial sentences and the maximum fine after pleading guilty.

Members of the public, including the media, are barred from entering the court grounds during the MCO.

"Their two-week jail sentences will start from today (March 31).

"Some students were given leniency and told to do community service.

"The cases are still ongoing. We will furnish the media with the relevant information at the end of the day after all the cases are dealt with," he said outside the courthouse in Light Street here.

Some 25 people are being tried in George Town before Magistrate Nur Fadrina Zulkhairi on Tuesday (March 31).

In Butterworth, 98 were charged and 19 were remanded and another 62 charged in Bukit Mertajam.

Under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act (Measures within the Infected Local areas) Regulations 2020, they can be fined up to RM1,000, jailed up to six months, or both.