PENANG BAZAAR FINED RM20,000
Cops say organiser failed to control crowd despite previous warnings
THE organiser of an Aidilfitri bazaar in Kubang Menerong here was slapped with a RM20,000 compound for failing to control the crowd, which resulted in congestion and absence of physical distancing.
Seberang Prai Utara district police chief Assistant Commissioner Noorzainy Mohd Noor said warnings and advice had been given during previous checks, but the situation remained the same.
He said the bazaar was supposed to allow only 400 visitors at any one time, but checks showed the number of visitors exceeded the limit.
“Although there were three entry and exit routes, visitors still encountered each other, which resulted in difficulty maintaining physical distancing.
“As such, the Seberang Prai City Council has issued a warning notice to the organiser to take steps to address the issue.
“On our part, we have issued a RM20,000 compound to the organiser,” he said during an integrated operation to ensure standard operating procedure compliance at the Aidilfitri bazaar here on Saturday night.
Noorzainy said the organiser complied with other SOP requirements, such as preparing dedicated entry and exit lanes and providing the MySejahtera QR code for check-ins.
However, he said, the organiser failed to ensure physical distancing, which warranted action.
“The action is taken following the rising number of Covid-19 cases. It’s worrying if physical distancing is not practised.”
He said officers from the City Council and Health Ministry also conducted checks at an Aidilfitri bazaar in Kepala Batas on Saturday night and found that the organiser had improved SOP compliance after it was issued with a warning last week.
He said police had increased mobile roadblocks at four rat lanes bordering Kedah to ensure people did not attempt to travel between states at a time when several districts in Kedah were under the Movement Control Order.
He said the four locations — two each in Kepala Batas and Tasek Gelugor — were village roads and padi fields, often used by people to avoid the police.
“Besides the mobile police roadblocks, the police motorcycle patrol unit and patrol vehicles will go to areas identified as rat lanes to ensure no one tries to travel between states.”
There are six roadblocks at the state border in the Seberang Prai Utara district.
He said police would increase the number of roadblocks as Hari Raya Aidilfitri approached.
He added that the Op Covid-19 monitoring team would be increased to 40 from 20, with 350 officers and personnel.