Insta
Malaysia Jails Nezar Mohamed, Indian Citizen Identified As Superspreader Of ‘Sivaganga Cluster’ Outbreak, For Defying Home Quarantine Rules
Swarajya Staff
Aug 17, 2020, 06:08 PM | Updated 06:08 PM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
57-year-old Nezar Mohamed Sabur Batca, a restaurant owner in Napoh, who was identified as the index case for the Covid-19 'Sivagangga cluster' in Malaysia, was fined RM12,000 and jailed five months on Thursday (Aug 13) for violating home quarantine orders, The New Strait Times reported.
Nezar Mohamed, an Indian national with permanent resident status in Malaysia and the owner of Restoran Nasi Kandar Salleh northern state of Kedah , pleaded guilty to four charges of violating a mandated 14-day home quarantine order upon his return from India last month.
Nezar Mohamed has been linked to the ‘Sivagangga cluster’, which spread in three states - Kedah, Perlis and Penang. A total of 45 cases linked to the cluster.
Upon return from India, Nezar underwent a COVID-19 screening at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) but initially tested negative. He was however put under Home Surveillance Order (HSO) but violated the rules during the quarantine period.
After a second test for Covid-19 came back positive, dozens of people, including his family members, restaurant workers and customers, were found to have been infected.
Nezar Mohamed was found guilty by the Alor Star magistrate's court of violating home quarantine procedures on July 14. Magistrate Mohd Hadi Hakimi Harun from the Jitra Magistrate's Court passed down the sentence today, 13 August.
Nezar Mohamed was earlier charged under Section 15(1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, which carries a maximum jail term of two years, or a fine, or both
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Introducing ElectionsHQ + 50 Ground Reports Project
The 2024 elections might seem easy to guess, but there are some important questions that shouldn't be missed.
Do freebies still sway voters? Do people prioritise infrastructure when voting? How will Punjab vote?
The answers to these questions provide great insights into where we, as a country, are headed in the years to come.
Swarajya is starting a project with an aim to do 50 solid ground stories and a smart commentary service on WhatsApp, a one-of-a-kind. We'd love your support during this election season.
Click below to contribute.