KOTA BARU: Eighteen individuals, who were taking part in a 'main puteri' ritual here, were fined up to RM60,000 for flouting the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) last night.
State deputy police chief Datuk Muhamad Zaki Harun said the compounds were issued during a raid at a house in Kampung Sungai, Bachok.
He said a police team went to the house after receiving information on a huge gathering being done there.
"After arriving at the house about midnight, police saw villagers at the house with some of them taking part in the 'main puteri' ritual.
"Police advised them to leave the place but they refused. We have no choice but to issue the compounds," he said.
Zaki told reporters this after attending the state-level State Special Security Committee (JKKN) meeting chaired by Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob at the Kota Darulnaim Complex here today.
He said the 18, aged between 23 and 63, included the organiser and owner of the house.
"Several villagers who were watching the ritual to cure a patient managed to fled upon seeing the arrival of the police," he added.
He said the 18 had breached the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within Infected Local Areas) (National Recovery Plan) Regulations 2021.
It is learnt that the 14 men and four women were slapped with compound of between RM2,000 and RM10,000 each.
The traditional 'main puteri' is performed as a shamanic ritual to cure the sick or as a psychological therapeutic method.