Police Deny Giving Out RM10,000 Fines to Nine Beggars, Say They Are Detained for Breaking SOP

By Karissa Lund  •  15 Mar 2021 in News

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According to Borneo Today on 14 March, nine women were fined up to RM10,000 for not complying with the SOP while begging on the streets in Lahad Datu. Police, on the other hand, stated that the women were detained for investigation and have not been fined.

Lahad Datu District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Rohan Shah Ahmad corrected the news portal and said that no compound has been issued to the female beggars, instead they have only been detained for breaking SOPs.

He said the investigation paper for the case was opened in accordance with Section 269 of the Penal Code; Regulation 17 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures in local areas of infection) (Control of Rehabilitation Movement) (No.3) 2021 and the Immigration Act 1959/63. Under Rule 17 of the PPB, those found guilty can be fined RM10,000 or jailed for six months, or both.

“Once the investigation is completed, the Criminal Investigation Division of IPD Lahad Datu will refer the investigation paper to the Deputy Public Prosecutor for further instructions,” he said in a statement.

ICYMI, the nine women from the Palauh tribe between the ages of 17 and 41 were detained while engaging in begging activities by not wearing face masks and not maintaining social distancing. Rohan also mentioned that in the monitoring operation carried out at 12pm yesterday, 25 children with the women were arrested too.

He said the ‘Op Covid-19’ operation was carried out to track down individuals who begged for money from passing car-drivers located at two locations, which are, the traffic light area in front of a Mr. DIY shop and at the Bandar Sri Perdan traffic light – both in Lahad Datu.