The individuals at the karaoke centre were believed to be celebrating a friend’s birthday when police raided the place.
KOTA KINABALU: Four owners of a karaoke entertainment centre in Asia City here were compounded RM10,000 each for operating during the Movement Control Order (MCO) 3.0.
Kota Kinabalu police chief ACP Mohd Zaidi Abdullah said the owners were compounded following a special operation to ensure Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) compliance.
Besides the four owners, 17 others were compounded for breaching SOP as they were celebrating a birthday at the entertainment premises. They were each fined RM1,500, while two foreigners in the group were investigated under Section 269 of the Penal Code for carelessness which may lead to the spread of a dangerous and infectious disease.
“Police heard music coming from inside the premises and the individuals were found entertaining themselves at the karaoke centre.
“Enforcement officers experienced a bit of resistance in raiding the premises as the door was locked from the inside, leaving the officers with no choice but to enter by force,” said Zaidi.
The individuals at the scene were aged between 21 and 45. Eight of them, four men and four women, were tested positive for drugs and will be investigated under Section 15 (1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Although no drug was found at the scene, police believe the individuals destroyed the substance when the enforcement offers were trying to enter the premises.
It was also found that the operating licence of the karaoke centre expired in 2018. Zaidi said action will be taken on that as well.
He warned entertainment centre owners to comply with SOP and cease operations during the MCO. Stern action will be taken without compromise on anyone found operating illegally, he said.