A manager of a golf club and two others were sentenced to three days’ jail and fined RM1,000 each, in default two months’ jail, by the Batu Gajah Magistrate’s Court today for defying the stay home order by playing golf during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.
Magistrate Nazratul Natrah Mohd Yusuf handed down the sentence on Low Teck San, 68, who is the golf club manager, unemployed Tan Chee Kean, 59, and tuition teacher Eugene Wong Yat Hoe, 37, after they pleaded guilty to the charge.
They were ordered to serve the jail sentence from the date of their arrest, which was yesterday.
The court also ordered all items seized, including golf bags, to be returned to the men.
When handing down the sentence, Nazratul Natrah chided them for not only belittling and making fun of the law, but having no empathy for the frontliners who are working tirelessly to prevent the Covid-19 infection.
“Looking at the three of you, all of you are educated, not the village or rural people who do not know the law, especially now, when it is already the third phase of MCO,” she added.
The three men were charged with defying MCO by violating Regulation 6 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the local infected areas) Regulations 2020 by playing golf at Kelab Golf Clearwater Sanctuary Resort at 11.30 am last April 16.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=858fJO1cZCg
Parveen Sharma Krishnan, who represented the three men, had initially asked for no jail time.
“Not only are they first-time offenders, all of them pleaded guilty.
“Low is suffering from glaucoma and has heart problems. He is currently taking care of his wife, who also has a heart condition and his two children,” he said.
“Tan is not working and is currently under the care of his two children while Wong is a teacher who is taking care of his wife and two school-going children.
“Jailing them is not a good solution and might traumatise them,” he added.
Parveen also asked for a minimal fine, saying the trio regretted their action.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Fairoz Abd Mutalib, however, said all three men should face jail time as a deterrent to members of the public.
“While we are in the midst of battling Covid-19, these men have violated the law and should be punished accordingly,” he said.
“A fine is inadequate for such an offence at this point of time,” he added.