Timur Laut district police chief Soffian Santong said acting on a public tip-off and surveillance, police conducted a raid at 11.30pm on the house which was rented by the group for the party.

“In the raid, we arrested 42 people, aged in their 20s to 40s, and all of them were fined RM1,000 each for violating SOPs under the recovery movement control order (RMCO).

“Inspection of the bungalow led to the discovery of various types of liquor and ketamine.

“Four of the suspects tested positive for drugs while 17 others have previous criminal records, including for drugs,” he said here today.

Soffian said the owner of the house was also issued with a compound fine by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), that was also involved in the raid, for conducting a homestay business illegally.

He said owners of premises must get prior permission from their local authorities before conducting any homestay activities.

Meanwhile, Soffian said 76 people, including 11 women, were slapped with a fine for engaging in activities prohibited during the RMCO in an inspection at 11pm on an entertainment centre along Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong here.

He said all of them, aged in their 20s to 40s, were fined RM1,000 each for failing to comply with the SOPs.

“Police also arrested a 21-year-old man, who is also the manager of the premises, for operating without a valid licence and seized various musical instruments,” he said.