Repeat offenders: Teenage girl among 11 caught violating MCO twice in S'wak

SIBU: A 17-year-old girl in Sibu is among 11 suspects statewide caught for violating the movement control order (MCO) twice.

Sarawak Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Dev Kumar said Thursday (April 23) that the girl was first caught on April 4 and had pleaded guilty at the Magistrate's Court two days later.

He said the girl was released on RM500 bail in one surety and the case was to be brought to court again on May 6 as the court needed a further report from the prosecution.

"However, while waiting for the case to be heard again on May 6, the girl was arrested again on April 13 for the same offence.

"She has been issued with a compound notice for RM1,000, which she has yet to pay," he added.

Another two men from Sibu were also detained twice for the same offence.

DCP Dev Kumar said the second offender was a 51-year-old man who was compounded RM1,000 on April 14 but had yet to settle it.

On April 16, the man was caught again for defying the MCO.

"He was supposed to be present in court on April 20 but he failed to show up and a warrant of arrest was issued against him," he revealed.

The third case in Sibu involved a 49-year-old man who received a compound of RM1,000 on April 14.

"The man was caught again on April 16 and subsequently brought to court on April 20.

“The first offence was under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures Within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020 where he was fined RM900 or 10 days' jail.

"His second offence was under the same regulations with an additional charge under the National Registration Act 1990 and he was fined a total of RM1,200 in default two months' imprisonment," DCP Dev Kumar said.

The other double offenders were from Kuching and Sarikei with two each, and Limbang, Samarahan and Meradong with one repeat offender each.

DCP Dev Kumar said it was still unsure why these 11 persons violated the MCO twice despite tough enforcement being carried out statewide by the police and army.