Penang cops nab 12 for public disorder, flouting SOPs

GEORGE TOWN – A cafe near the Upper Penang Road area, also known as the “party zone”, was greeted by a brawl involving 12 youths on Friday night.

The youths were nabbed by police for causing public disorder and flouting standard operating procedures (SOPs).

In a video lasting over a minute, several youths were seen without their face masks and failing to observe physical distancing after an argument broke out inside the cafe.

They were caught on camera physically abusing each other near a petrol kiosk at Farquhar Street around 11.30pm, while one of the youths threw a table during the fracas.

Northeast district police chief Soffian Santong confirmed the incident and said a police patrol unit arrived at the scene and arrested three youths.

This was followed by the arrest of another nine youths aged between 20 and 39 who were reported to have sustained minor injuries in the brawl.

Three of the youths have criminal records involving drug abuse and other criminal activities.

Soffian said that they will be remanded for three days to facilitate investigations.

Lawyers for Justice Movement coordinator S. Raveentharan urged authorities to ensure SOPs are always adhered to, including at commercial premises, which have since reopened following the easing of the lockdowns. – The Vibes, October 3, 2021