KEPALA BATAS: A group of people violated the movement control order (MCO) when they were caught drinking outside a temple on Thursday (April 9).

Seberang Prai Utara OCPD Asst Comm Noorzainy Mohd Noor said those detained were enjoying their alcoholic beverages at the temple compound near Jalan Kampung Gajah, Butterworth.

"Despite knowing that the government has enforced the MCO, they chose to ignore the order and loitered outside instead of staying at home," he told reporters after the special operation.

Asst Comm Noorzainy said the group of seven, including two women, claimed that they were bored at home and since many shops were closed, they decided to have a chat while drinking outside the temple.

Earlier at Bagan Lalang, four teenagers were drinking "air ketum" at a field near Taman Mesra and tried to run away when police approached them in the operation.

The teenagers were apprehended by police who had them cornered.

Asst Comm Noorzainy said in total, 27 people were arrested for violating the MCO in various parts of the district.

He said the operation was conducted by a special task force from the district police headquarters.

"Those arrested are aged from 16 to 60," he said.

He said from the 27 that were arrested, 23 will be issued compound notices for violating the MCO.

All of them were detained under Regulation 11 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Disease Regulations 2020, Section 269 and Section 186 of the Penal Code.