Photo via BBC
Penang police have arrested 20 individuals for breaching the Movement Control Order (MCO), after they were caught playing mahjong together at a house in Air Itam.
According to Sinar Harian, the Penang State Police Headquarters Anti-Vice, Gaming and Secret Societies Division conducted raids at two buildings in the area on Saturday night (February 6th), when they arrested the 15 men and five women including one foreign woman, most of whom were senior citizens.
It’s understood that those arrested were so engrossed in the game that they didn’t realise police were already at their doorstep, ready to bust them.
Pictures of the bust went viral on social media.
LAGI NYONYA DAN ATOK DITANGKAP BERJUDI Bosan kerana terlalu lama duduk di rumah dan keluar sekadar mahu berjumpa kawan....
Posted by Mamu Jarum on Saturday, February 6, 2021
When questioned, some of them gave the excuse that they were bored at home and also begged the officers to let them go, as Chinese New Year is approaching.
The case is being investigated under the Criminal Code and the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act, as well as the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, as they were, of course, playing illegally.
Please continue to follow SOPs and stay safe, guys!
by Kyle Roshen Jacob
