Penang cops have arrested 11 men who allegedly violating the standard operating procedures (SOPs) under the Movement Control Order, by conducting a funeral procession for their deceased friend.

The suspects, aged between 15 and 35, were detained at several locations around Butterworth and Mak Mandin between 6pm and 10pm yesterday, reported Bernama.

The national news agency quoted Seberang Perai Utara police chief ACP Noorzainy Mohd Noor saying that the police opened up an investigation paper into the matter after receiving a report regarding the procession from Teluk Air Tawar to the crematorium in Jalan Siram, which took place on Thursday afternoon.

A video clip of the incident has since gone viral on TikTok and Facebook.

Noorzainy said that besides the 11 men, the police are also looking for several other individuals believed involved in the incident.

According to reports, the men had removed the casket containing the remains of their 23-year-old friend who had died from tuberculosis the day before, from the hearse when the vehicle was about 50 metres from the crematorium.

They then insisted on carrying the hearse themselves to the crematorium, despite the funeral service parlour director strictly prohibiting them from doing so.

The case is being investigated under Rule 9 of the Infectious Diseases Regulations 2021 and Section 269 of the Penal Code.


Source: Bernama
Photo source: Facebook