GEORGE TOWN: Thirteen people pleaded guilty for holding a birthday party that defied the movement control order (MCO) at a Magistrates'court here.
V. Uthayasooryan, 22, L. Thiruselvam, 24, S. Praveen, 20, K. Kiren Raj, 26, R. Harihaaran, 23, G. Savieneshwar, 21, A. Hemaraj, 24, R. Chanturu, 23, N. Sravanan, 26, M. Puniswaran, 26, R. Sreehaaran, 21, Siswannic Zaini Aruldass, 24, and L. Loganesha, 24, were charged with violating the MCO by gathering at a rented apartment in Jalan Pangkor, George Town on Wednesday (April 15) around 12.30am.
The offence is punishable under Rule 6(1) and 11(1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures Within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020, and Section 34 of the Penal Code.
Magistrate Lau Eric sentenced the 13 to three days imprisonment from the day of arrest and fined them RM1,000 each, in default of one year in jail if the fine is not paid.
Counsel Cheah Eng Soon represented 12 of the accused while counsel S. Yagoo represented Hemaraj.
During mitigation, Cheah said most of accused are students with bright futures, if they are sent to jail, their future will be affected.
"As first-time offenders, the remand proceeding is a good lesson to them," he said.
Yagoo also requested for his client to be fined.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Farah Aimy Zainul Anwar who prosecuted said as it was a month into the MCO they could not claim that they were unaware of the rules.
"They should be given a deterrent sentence," she said.
It was reported that a birthday bash at an apartment came to an abrupt end when police arrested 13 youths for defying the movement control order (MCO).
One of them, believed to be celebrating his birthday, rented the apartment unit in Jalan Pangkor for the private party.
Acting on a tip-off, police raided the place during a routine MCO patrol in the area.
George Town OCPD Asst Comm Soffian Santong said the violators were found consuming alcohol when police raided the unit.
