KUALA LUMPUR – Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin called on Penang police chief Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain to provide a detailed explanation on police patrols following the incident involving a large crowd congregating at a mosque in Juru, Penang this morning.
In a statement today, Hamzah said that the Penang state police headquarters and Seberang Prai Tengah police district headquarters have initiated investigations into the incident.
“The Penang police chief has been asked to provide a report and detailed explanation concerning the appointment of police personnel tasked with supervising standard operating procedure compliance in the field, especially during this Hari Raya Aidiladha season,” he said.
The Larut MP assured that his ministry would not hesitate to take strict action against any individuals involved in organising the event and has directed the Immigration Department to immediately deport any migrants who were involved.
Hamzah’s quickfire response comes after a 22-second video went viral, showing hundreds of people gathering for prayers outside a mosque at Taman Pelangi, Juru in Penang.
The crowd is believed to have comprised mostly migrant workers gathering to perform Hari Raya Aidiladha prayers.
In a subsequent press conference, Penang’s top cop apologised on behalf of the state police force for not detecting the incident earlier.
He said the mosque’s management did not flout any SOPs, and that the gates to the mosque were closed to prevent more people from entering the vicinity.
Shuhaily said those who were unable to enter the mosque ended up praying along the parking spaces within the vicinity of the mosque, and pledged to investigate the matter.
Currently, Penang is under Phase Two of The National Recovery Plan, and SOPs dictate that a limited number of worshippers are allowed inside mosques or suraus.
Only 150 people are allowed inside a mosque, while suraus may only admit 50 individuals at any one time. – The Vibes, July 20, 2021
