GEORGE TOWN: The Sessions Court here fined 25 foreign workers a total of RM125,000 for flouting the standard operating procedure by congregating on Hari Raya Aidiladha on Tuesday (July 20).

       The men aged between 23 and 41 pleaded guilty after the respective charge sheets were read out to them before Sessions judge Norsalha Hamzah.

       They were charged with gathering with others for social purposes in a house in Taman Desa Mutiara in Batu Maung at around 9pm on Tuesday (July 20).

       The offence comes under Regulation 10 (1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures in Local Areas of Infection), punishable under Regulation 17 of the same Act.

       The offence is punishable with a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment up to six months, or both, upon conviction.

       Norsalha imposed a fine of RM5,000 on each accused and said if they failed to pay the fine they would be jailed for two months.

       Deputy Public Prosecutor Rais Imran Hamid prosecuted while 21 of the accused were represented by Muhammad Arif Shaharuddin, a lawyer engaged by their employer.

       The other four accused were unrepresented.

       It is understood that the accused were alleged to have gathered and made a meal to celebrate Hari Raya Aidiladha at their homes before they were raided by police following public complaints.