The police have arrested 49 men to facilitate investigations into a viral video showing hundreds of individuals believed to be foreigners violating the standard operating procedure (SOP) by having Aidiladha prayers at an open area and roadside of Surau Taman Pelangi, Juru in Bukit Mertajam yesterday.
Penang police chief Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the 48 Bangladeshis and one local man were arrested separately around Juru yesterday
"They have been arrested to aid ongoing investigations for violating the SOP,” he said in a statement last night adding that investigations would be conducted under Sections 269 and 270 of the Penal Code.
A video showing over 200 individuals, mostly foreigners living in Taman Pelangi conducting Aidiladha prayers in the parking lot and by the roadside of a surau in Taman Pelangi between 8.30 am to 9 am yesterday had gone viral, leading to the investigation.
They were praying in the area as the surau management did not allow them inside after the surau had reached its maximum capacity of 100 people.
Mohd Shuhaily added that the report regarding the incident has been handed over to the Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani today for him to brief Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin.
The Home Ministry had asked the Penang police chief to provide a detailed report and explanation over his personnel who were assigned to monitor SOP compliance during the Aidiladha celebrations.
Batu Caves feast
Meanwhile, 30 foreigners and a local woman were arrested after they were believed to have violated the SOPs by attending a feast in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidiladha at a house in Taman Selayang Utama, Batu Caves.
Gombak police chief ACP Zainal Mohamed Mohamed said the 29 men and two women aged 20 to 40 were arrested in a raid at about 10 am yesterday after the police received a public tip-off.
"Of the 30 foreigners, four have valid travel documents while six have expired Temporary Employment Visitors’ Passes (PLKS) and another 20 do not have any valid travel documents.
"They were found to have committed the offence of failing to comply with the SOP by assembling and failing to practice physical distancing, besides possessing expired PLKS’ and not having valid travel documents," he said in a statement.
He said all of them were taken to the Gombak District Police Headquarters for further investigation and all the foreigners would be brought to the Selayang Magistrate's Court for a remand application today.
Zainal Mohamed said the investigation was conducted in accordance with Section 6 (1) (c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, namely for not having a valid pass or permit to stay in Malaysia, and Section 15 (1) (c) of the same Act for overstaying.
He said the local woman who was detained was fined RM4,000 under Regulation 16 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Regulations 2021.
"Investigations are also being conducted under Section 269 of the Penal Code for a negligent act that may likely spread an infection of any disease dangerous to life," he said.
- Bernama
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