[UPDATED] Cosmetics entrepreneur to be questioned over durian fest

KUALA LUMPUR – Police will call up a cosmetics entrepreneur to give a statement for allegedly violating the standard operating procedures (SOPs) under Phase 1 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).

Petaling Jaya district deputy police chief Ku Mashariman Ku Mahmood said police received a report regarding the matter at 4pm yesterday.

He said a screenshot that showed the 34-year-old entrepreneur eating durian with several other individuals had gone viral.

“The cosmetics entrepreneur is a well-known celebrity and has many followers on social media,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He said the investigation is being conducted under Regulation 17(1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures Within Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2021, Section 269 of the Penal Code, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

Ku Mashariman advised people to continue to abide by the SOPs and to be cautious when sharing any statement or content on social media so as to not create speculation that could disrupt public order.

Meanwhile, Perak police said they have recorded a statement from the organiser of a durian giveaway in Parit Buntar two days ago to facilitate investigations in the alleged breach of SOPs under Phase 2 of NRP.

Kerian district police chief Mazuki Mat said the 39-year-old man was questioned at the Parit Buntar station yesterday, during which he admitted to being unable to control the crowd at the event.

“The investigation paper is ready and will be referred to the deputy public prosecutor,” he told Bernama today.

The case is being investigated under Section 269 of the Penal Code for committing a negligent act that may likely spread the infection of a dangerous disease.

On Friday, photos and videos of a crowd lining up to get free durians under a flyover in Jalan Temenggong made the rounds online.

It is learnt that the organiser prepared four tonnes of the fruit from Batu Kurau to be distributed to the public. – Bernama, August 1, 2021