GEORGE TOWN: Caught for violating the movement control order, 20 youths, including four minors, pleaded guilty to flouting Covid-19 regulations.

       The charge under Regulation 8 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Disease (Measures Within Infected Local Areas (Movement Control) Regulations 2021, punishable under Regulation 17(1) of the same rule, carries a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or jail not exceeding six months, or both, upon conviction.

       The charge sheet stated that the 20 had violated restrictions by taking part in a private party at about 12.30am on Aug 1 in a house in Bukit Gambir, Gelugor, for entertainment purposes.

       Sessions judge Norsalha Hamzah set bail at RM2,000 each for the four underaged boys pending a report from the Welfare Department.

       Sentencing has been set for Sept 7.

       The rest were fined RM3,000 each. Later, at a Magistrate’s Court, the 20 were charged with three separate counts of drug possession of 0.5g of ketamine under Section 12(3) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, 0.6g of methamphetamine under Section 6 and 0.56g of cannabis under Section 12(2) of the same Act. All pleaded not guilty.

       Bail was set at RM500 per charge for the four under-aged boys.

       For the others, bail was set at RM2,000 per charge.

       Mention was set for Oct 5.

       Four of the accused were also charged with testing positive for drugs.

       They claimed trial under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

       At a separate Magistrate’s Court, six other accused also pleaded not guilty to a charge of testing positive for drugs.