JOHOR BARU: Johor police said there were people around when a cafè owner in Segamat was compounded for not wearing a face mask on Wednesday.
State police chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said investigations showed that there were people coming from and going into the shops and premises near the cafè at the time of the incident.
"At the same time, there was an employee with the individual who was wearing a face mask.
"Therefore, her statement there were no people around in the area and it was not crowded is not true.
"Her action in not wearing a face mask could raise the concern of the people in the area," said Ayob Khan in a statement.
He said this in response to a report in the New Straits Times which quoted cafè owner, Nur Izzati Aqilah Lokman Hakim who took to Twitter to air her grouses for having been issued a compound for not wearing a face mask in what she claimed was a non-crowded public place.
The incident occurred at her cafè in Jalan Pusat Komersial Yayasan 3, Segamat, at 11am.
Nur Izzati said she was at her cafè before opening hours to prepare meals for her children before sending them to school.
She said there was no one around when a patrol car stopped and the officer issued her a compound of RM1,000 for not wearing a face mask.
Nur Izzati said she confronted the officer on why she was fined as the SOP only required people to wear masks in crowded areas. She also said she would lodge a report to the authorities on the matter.
Ayob Khan said Johor police were looking at this matter seriously and will not compromise on anyone who intentionally does not comply with the SOP and regulations set by the government.