MELAKA: The controversy surrounding a compound notice issued to a 44-year-old from Alor Gajah for violating the standard operating procedure on inter-district travel has taken a new twist.

       The woman was slapped with the fine after being stopped by police while driving along Jalan Taman Merdeka, a dual-carriageway road which skirts the border of the Alor Gajah and Melaka Tengah districts.

       Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong said the woman wanted to clear the air after Melaka Tengah OCPD Asst Comm Afzanizar Ahmad issued a statement on the matter yesterday.

       ACP Afzanizar had said the woman from Durian Tunggal, in the Alor Gajah district, was issued the compound after she told the police she was on the way to her sister’s house in the Melaka Tengah district.

       Khoo, however, said the woman denied this.

       “The woman called me soon after reading the news to inform me that she has no sister living at Taman Merdeka which is under the Melaka Tengah district.

       “She also denied giving such a reason when stopped by police on June 13,” he said yesterday.

       Khoo said the woman’s sister lived in Durian Tunggal, which is within the same district.

       He said the woman claimed she told the police she was on her way to the hypermarket, which is located in the same district as her home.

       Khoo said the woman appealed to the district health office to consider cancelling her compound but instead she was given a 50% discount.

       “The woman can’t afford to raise RM2,500 and that’s the reason she sought my help,” he added.

       ACP Afzanizar also said the woman from Taman Desa Idaman in Alor Gajah failed to provide a valid reason or supporting documents when stopped.

       Khoo who highlighted the plight of the woman on Friday had later thanked Melaka police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Abdul Majid Mohd Ali for looking into the matter.

       DCP Abdul Majid is expected to visit the area to get a clearer picture of the issue.

       Khoo said the road, Jalan Taman Merdeka, was smacked right on the border of the two districts.

       He said the road was the only access to the hypermarket and also to Taman Merdeka housing estate.

       Khoo added that confusion had now surfaced whether residents from Taman Merdeka (located in Melaka Tengah district) could buy essential items at the closest hypermarket to them, which is located in Alor Gajah district, following the woman’s case.