PDRM Looking For Group Of Friends Who Went On A Hike In Perak Last Weekend
A police report was made after a video of the outing was uploaded on Instagram.
By May Vin Ang — 18 Aug 2021, 12:26 PM
The police are investigating a group of individuals for possibly breaking National Recovery Plan (NRP) standard operating procedures (SOPs) by going out on a group outing last weekend
According to Sinar Harian, a video of the group of friends hiking at Bukit Bangkong in Chemor, Perak was uploaded on Instagram last Sunday, 15 August, and went viral on social media.
Ipoh police chief ACP Yahaya Hassan told the Malay daily that a police report was made regarding the outing.
"The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is taking the matter seriously because the individuals seen in the video are involved in a group recreational activity and have failed to comply with Phase 2 NRP SOPs that are currently in force in the state," he said.
The police chief added that they are in the midst of identifying the individuals and will be calling them in to record statements
"First, we will have to look if any violation took place because we do not yet know the actual date of the incident," Yahaya said, as reported by Harian Metro.
"But since the video has gone viral and caused unrest in the community, it has become our responsibility to investigate."
The case is being investigated under Regulation 17 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Yahaya said no individual has been called to give their statements yet.
He added that the police will only decide whether to prosecute the group with advice from a deputy public prosecutor after the investigation is completed.
Yahaya also advised everyone to continue complying with NRP SOPs as issued by the National Security Council to control the spread of COVID-19
"The police will take stern action against any party failing to comply with the SOPs by issuing a compound according to the Act," he warned.
He also encouraged the public to report SOP offenders in Ipoh to the district police headquarters at +605-2542222 or email them at [email protected].
He assured that the identity of informants will be kept confidential.
