Neelofa and hubby given DNAA in SOP violation case, to be issued compound notices instead
SEREMBAN: Celebrity couple Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor and her husband Muhammad Haris Mohd Ismail have been given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal by the Magistrate’s Court here for allegedly violating standard operating procedures (SOP) during the conditional movement control order in May.
Magistrate Mohd Firdaus Saleh made the decision on Wednesday (Dec 1) after the defence team told the court that the Attorney General’s Chambers was prepared to offer compound notices for the three offences allegedly committed by the couple.
Neelofa, 32, and Muhammad Haris, 26, pleaded not guilty on May 20 to a charge of failing to scan their details via the MySejahtera application or to register manually before entering a carpet shop located at the Nilai 3 Industrial Area at 4pm on May 2.
Muhammad Haris also claimed trial to another charge of failing to wear a face mask in a public place at the same place and time.
They were charged under Rule 19 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Regulations (conditional movement order) 2021, which provides a fine of not more than RM50,000, or a jail term of not more than six months, or both, upon conviction.
The couple was represented by Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, Haresh Mahadevan and Ramzani Idris.
Deputy public prosecutor Nor Azizah Aling appeared for the prosecution.
When met later, Haresh said the defence team had submitted a representation to the Attorney General’s Chambers on the matter in September.
“Our representation was successful and in order for these offences to be compounded, the charges need a DNAA first.
“Once this is done, our clients will be issued with compound notices which they have to pay before the next court date,” he added.
Haresh said the case will be heard in court again on Dec 21 where Neelofa and her husband will have to prove that they have paid the compounds.
“They will have to show proof of payment and only then will an acquittal be (granted) to put this matter to rest once and for all,” he added.