Social service order for seminarians who played football during MCO

A group of Catholic seminarians in Penang pleaded guilty to the charge under Regulation 3(2) Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (measures within infected local areas) Regulations 2020 for violating the movement control order (MCO).

Lawyer Simon Murali, who is representing the 24, told Malaysiakini that the Magistrate's Court imposed a compulsory attendance order.

"This is where the seminarians are ordered to carry out social service work under the guidance and supervision of parole officer," he told Malaysiakini.

Magistrate Rosnee Mohd Radzuan presided over the case while DPP Nabila Huda Muhammad Nazim prosecuted.

Simon said the compulsory order is effective from today and the seminarians have to carry out social service work for three hours on working days for three months.

"There is no fine. No imprisonment. Only social work," he added.

During the court proceeding, Simon argued that the College General has already imposed stringent measures within the compound and among the seminarians in compliance with MCO.

He said the seminarians were prohibited from leaving the compound and there was no social interaction with outsiders.

"Secondly, the seminarians lived as a family unit, where each of them had undergone medical examination and all are healthy.

"The football game was part of a health maintenance for seminarians to keep fit.

"The field was deep inside the compound, the perimeters are fenced and there is a security guard post at the main entrance," Simon explained.

The seminarians from College General were arrested yesterday for violating the MCO by playing football at their premises in Jalan Cengai, Tanjung Bungah.

According to Bernama, northeast district police chief Soffian Santong said the 24 were detained at 7.14pm after receiving complaints from the public.

The MCO was implemented to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus. It is slated to end on April 14.

As of yesterday, Malaysia recorded 2,908 Covid-19 cases and 45 deaths. - Mkini