Crime & Courts

12 charged with SOP violation by participating in funeral procession

BUTTERWORTH: Twelve men were jointly charged at the Sessions Court here today for violating the standard operating procedures (SOP) by participating in a funeral procession last Wednesday (Oct 13).

Seven of the men -- R. Kumar, 39; A. Elango, 35; A.G. Rukumaran, 33; S Muniswaran, 30; M. Kanes Kumaar, 28; S. Rishantheren, 23; and Veera Putthiran, 19 - pleaded guilty to the offence before Judge Norhayati Mohamad Yunus.

However, five others -- M Sivasangar, 49; D. Stephen Dass, 35; Mazlan Hassan Sha, 3; K. Harjun, 18; and a 17-year-old boy -- claimed trial to the offence.

All of them are alleged to have flouted the SOPs by participating in the funeral pocession for religious purposes at Jalan Besar Kerian Kedah, Sungai Jawi in the Seberang Prai Selatan district about 2pm on Oct 13.

They were charged under Regulation 9 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2021, punishable under Regulation 17(1), which carries maximum RM50,000 fine or maximum six months imprisonment or both, upon conviction.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Aisyah Al Humayrah Kamaruzaman prosecuted while seven of the accused who pleaded guilty were represented by counsel Anbananthan Yathiraju.

The remaining five accused were unrepresented.

During proceedings, Aisyah requested the court to set a RM15,000 fine against each of the accused who pleaded guilty to the offence.

"Appropriate punishment should be meted out, taking into consideration the hardship faced by frontliners who worked tirelessly to bring down the infection.

"The punishment should also serve as a lesson to the accused and the public," she said.

The seven accused, who pleaded guilty, had also appealed for reduced fines, some claiming they were not from well to do families while others said they had lost their jobs and had several dependents.

Norhayati then fined each of the seven accused who pleaded guilty RM3,500 in default two months' jail.

She also set bail at RM4,500 with one surety for the other four accused who claimed trial.

As for the underage boy, he was allowed bail at RM1,500, with the condition that either of his parents bail him out.

The court set Nov 24 for mention of the case.

Most Popular
Related Article
Says Stories