KOTA BHARU (Bernama): Police issued RM60,000 in compounds to 18 people, including four women, who were taking part in a 'main puteri' ritual in Kampung Sungai, Bachok, near here, for flouting the standard operating procedures (SOP) on Wednesday (Nov 10).

       Kelantan deputy police chief Datuk Muhamad Zaki Harun said all of them, aged between 23 and 63, were issued the compounds after they failed to heed the police advice to disperse.

       He said a police team went to the location at about 12.30am on Wednesday after receiving a tip off that about 100 people were gathering there for a "main puteri" ritual.

       Main puteri is healing ritual which incorporates elements of dance, music, trance and ritual to cure patients suffering from emotional or spiritual illness.

       "However, they remained there, forcing the police to return at about 2am and detain 18 of them, while the others fled," he told reporters after the State Security Working Committee Meeting at Kota Darul Naim here on Wednesday.

       He said the 18 people, who included the organisers, were compounded between RM2,000 and RM10,000, each. - Bernama