SOP violation: Cops issue compounds to seven locals in raid on snooker den

KUCHING (May 18): Police slapped compounds on five men and two women, all locals aged between 21 and 31, over violation against the standard operating procedures (SOP) under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), during a raid on a snooker outlet at Jalan Song here late Sunday.

According to acting Kuching District police chief Supt Merbin Lisa, the seven individuals were issued the compounds during a routine patrol conducted at around 9pm.

Earlier that same night, at around 8.15pm, a monitoring team led by Bintawa police station chief had issued compounds to five teenagers, including one girl – all aged between 15 and 17 – at City Square, Jalan Pending here.

“The youths did not wear their face masks at public areas – a violation against the SOP,” said Merbin.

He said the issuance of all compounds was made under Regulation 17 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Regulations (Amendment) 2021 (No 21) 2021, for failure to obey the instructions given by the Health Director-General.

“All the individuals involved were brought back to Kuching District police headquarters station to be issued compounds,” said Merbin in a statement.

On a separate development, Merbin said police had arrested the suspect of an assault case that occurred in front of a market at Jalan Bintawa here on May 9, which had been widely shared on social media.

“Acting on information, a team from Kuching police headquarters crime investigation division (CID) apprehended the suspect at 11pm on Sunday, in front of a budget hotel at King’s Centre here.”

According to Merbin, the suspect is a 23-year-old local man who has a criminal record on drug abuse registered under Section 15(1)(a) of Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

“Following the arrest, the police also seized from the suspect a rubber hose, suspected of being used in the assault.”

Merbin said the suspect was brought to Kuching Magistrate’s Court yesterday for a four-day remand application, under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which was granted and would be in effect until this May 21.

“The investigation papers would be referred to the state deputy public prosecutor to obtain prosecution in court,” he added.