Cops nab 42 in Sibu for violating Covid-19 SOPs, illegal gambling

SIBU: Police have issued compound notices totalling RM120,000 to 42 individuals here for violating the movement control order (MCO) by illegally gambling at two premises in Jalan Wong King Huo on Sunday (Sept 19).

Sibu OCPD Asst Comm Stanley Jonathan Ringgit said the two caretakers of the premises received a heavier compound notice of RM20,000 each for allowing their premises to be used while 40 others were issued compound notices of RM2,000 each.

He added that a D7 team from the Criminal Investigation Department, led by Inspector Hairul Hussin, raided the two premises at around 1.45pm Sunday.

"The team had to cut the padlock of the gate of the first premises and found 26 men and two women gathered at seven tables, suspected of engaging in illegal gambling activities," he said.

In the second raid, the team arrested 14 other individuals, including a woman, who were playing mahjong on the first floor of a premises near the first premises.

All suspects, aged from 31 to 70 years, were later detained under Section 6 (1) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.

The police also confiscated 10 tables, 35 plastic chairs and various gambling equipment as case items.

The suspects, ACP Stanley said, were found to have violated the standard operating procedures (SOP) of the MCO under Regulation 17 (1) of the Infectious Disease Prevention And Control Regulations 2021.