GEORGE TOWN – Police raided an entertainment outlet near Komtar here, following a tip-off that the operator was harbouring illegals and the patrons were not observing Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Fifty-four individuals were inside the premises around 10.30pm on Friday during the raid.
Local patrons numbered 35, including one local female, while 14 foreign women were nabbed in the dragnet set by Bukit Aman’s integrity and compliance department.
The operator was hauled up for questioning on allegations of harbouring illegals, failure to provide a safe exit and entry area, holding entertainment activities without a permit, and failure to enforce physical distancing or masking.
Northeast district police head Soffian Santong, who confirmed the case, said each patron faces up to RM4,000 in compounds for patronising the illegal premise.
The operator can also be fined up to RM30,000 for operating without a permit, and defying the masking and physical distancing SOPs.
“The alleged offender would also be investigated for hiring illegals to work (at the premises),” he said.
Soffian said police are hot on the heels of those who operate without adhering to the SOPs, and urges entertainment outlets to get the required permits from local authorities. – The Vibes, November 21, 2021
