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KUALA LUMPUR: Those stranded in other states due to the motion control order (MCO) that takes effect tomorrow at 12:01 am and wish to return home can do so until Friday.
Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador (pix) said today that it has directed its staff to use their discretion in enforcing the MCO in such cases.
“There may be families away from home and stranded in other states. In these cases, we have agreed to allow them to return on the first or second day (from the MCO) or perhaps until Friday. This includes those who travel by public transport such as train and bus. If you are stopped at checkpoints, explain your situation to staff. I have directed my staff to use prudent discretion in such cases, ”he said at a news conference in Bukit Aman tonight.
Abdul Hamid said that those who have taken action against them for violating the MCO but felt they were unfairly penalized can approach the federal police in Bukit Aman and appeal against the action.
He said the appeal or complaints will be investigated and studied before the next course of action is decided.
Abdul Hamid said that in the preliminary stages of the MCO, around 300 checkpoints are expected to be set up across the country, mainly at the exit points from toll plazas and federal highways linking states or districts.
“This includes the 56 checkpoints that are currently active. We will continue to add barricades during MCO and state police chiefs are studying other locations to set up the checkpoints. We have about 48,000 people who will enter service and another 12,000 of them on standby, “he said, adding that the loss of a large number of personnel due to the MCO has been frozen.
He said there were about 700 checkpoints across the country when the MCO was declared in March of last year.
Abdul Hamid said there are also 2,700 surveillance teams made up of personnel from the police, armed forces and other agencies that will conduct patrols to enforce the shutdown.
“We do not want to inconvenience or upset the public with the MCO. We will do our best to make it as easy and convenient for everyone. We understand people’s difficulties and how this is affecting them in many ways.
“However, the daily numbers of those who tested positive for Covid-19 are worrying and only appropriate measures are taken to contain the pandemic,” he said.
Abdul Hamid also said there are proposals to increase penalties and further toughen the law for those who disobey the MCO.
He said a higher fine can serve as a deterrent and will leave the decision to the appropriate ministry.
Regarding the emergency declared today, Abdul Hamid said there are no changes or improvements in the police powers.
“No, there have been no changes and the declaration of Emergency does not make any difference in the duties or powers of the police,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Petaling Jaya, the district police will barricade seven places to enforce the MCO.
Petaling Jaya Police Chief ACP Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal said there will be three barricades in Kota Damansara, two in Damansara Perdana and one in Petaling Jaya and one in Damansara.
He said the checkpoints are at Jalan 4/56, this is Gasing Indah; at the Damansara toll plaza towards Bayu Puteri near Merchant Square, Tropicana.
In Kota Damansara, the checkpoints will be at Jalan Persiaran Mahogani; Jalan Persiaran Sungai Buloh and Jalan Persiaran Jati, while in Damansara Perdana it will be installed at the Jalan PJU 8/1 traffic lights and the Mutiara Damansara / Damansara Perdana interchange on the Damansara-Puchong (LDP) highway.
“We wish to advise the public to stay home to help break the chain of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
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