FORTY-ONE Myanmar men who breached the movement-control order by participating in a water festival in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi were today fined RM1,000 each by the Sepang magistrates’ court.

Magistrate A. Akhiruddin @ Boy Acho handed down the sentence after the group pleaded guilty to the charges, which were read out by an interpreter.

He ordered all of the accused, aged between 19 and 34, to each serve a month in jail should they fail to settle the fine.

The men were charged with gathering for the Thingyan water festival in the compound of a factory workers’ hostel between 8.30am and 10pm on April 12.

They were charged under Regulation 6(1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures Within Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020.

Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Faraheen Yahya asked the court to impose a deterrent sentence as the group’s action challenged the country’s laws.

During mitigation, counsel G. Rajasingam, representing all 41 accused, appealed for a fine instead of jail time, saying his clients have valid work permits and come from poor families. – Bernama, April 20, 2020.