All arrests that have been made during the movement control order (MCO) have been in accordance with the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) and Penal Code. This was reiterated by senior minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today.
He said this in response to allegations made by certain quarters that the police had no authority to take action against offenders, and that the cops also had no authority to issue warrants.
“I want to make it clear that the police can take action based on Act 342, and that Section 3.1 of the same Act states that the health minister may appoint any suitable person to be an authorised officer with the power to take action against those who flout the MCO,” he said during his daily non-health press briefing earlier this evening.
“In addition, Section 3.2 also states that an officer authorised to act within the jurisdiction and duties under the Act is deemed to be a civil servant within the meaning of the Penal Code,” he explained, adding that the appointed officer – which included the police, military and the Malaysian maritime enforcement agency (MMEA) – was empowered to enforce the law and carry out duties relating to the Act.
The defence minister also revealed that the police and army had carried out 813 roadblocks nationwide yesterday, and had inspected 557,699 vehicles in the process. This is the fourth day of traffic that has gone into or close to the 550,000 mark.
On Monday, 546,553 vehicles were inspected, while 545,182 vehicles were checked at roadblocks on Tuesday. On Wednesday, that number had increased to 558,548 vehicles. Yesterday, Ismail Sabir had said that one of the reasons for the increase in traffic was due to many companies not involved in essential services having taken the opportunity to resume business (from Monday). As a result, more people were heading out to work and adding to the traffic woes.
He added that 1,057 individuals were arrested yesterday (April 16) for MCO-related offences. Of the total, 906 individuals were remanded, while 151 were allowed to post bail. A total of 622 people were charged in court yesterday, and the cumulative number of arrests for MCO violations now stood at 12,074.
Ismail Sabri also repeated that it is not an offence if a person does not wear a face mask in public during the MCO. He said the health ministry had already issued guidelines, stating that only those who were Covid-19 symptomatic (or was not feeling well) should wear face masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
“We can’t enforce the law against anyone who is not wearing a face mask and detain or arrest them. There has been a previous case where a shopper was prevented from purchasing goods because that individual did not wear a face mask. This goes beyond the law. To us, it’s not an offence if you do not wear a face mask,” he said in response to a question about a report about an individual who was not wearing a face mask having been arrested by police in Selangor two days ago.
While the number of new Covid-19 infections have been dropping in recent days, we’re not quite out of the woods yet – the advice remains, stay at home unless it’s for food and essentials, and if you do need to head out, stay within a 10 km radius (above that only for those seeking medical treatment or buying medicine) and remember to follow the one-person-per-car rule.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
After 31days, I decided to moved back to kampong from bandar for good.. $$ not everything
you shld. KL is too crowded because of non KL ppl pouring into the area. We genuine KL ppl miss hose calm of street 10-15 years ago. outsider come in here drive like monkey.
Yep. Esp those from P.Png.
Well said!
The minister’s statement about wearing face masks is not complete and have lead to many people citing his claim about the non-mandatory face mask ruling. Minister of health official website have stated that people who have symptom must wear face mask and maintain distance but they also state that all must follow the same rule when they are in a crowded place, e.g supermarket. I saw people get angry on social media and keep posting these news links about how its non-mandatory to wear face mask and about these supermarket cannot impose their own face mask mandatory ruling. Funny thing is, the headline said “Don’t impose own face mask ruling, follow Ministry of Health guideline” which is conflicting. Also, particularly in Sabah, the state government had issued their own guideline and on every page it says “PELANGGAN DAN PEKERJA WAJIB MEMAKAI TOPENG MUKA DAN HAND SANITIZER”.
To clarify, up to date WHO requirements didn’t state the necessary use of facemask unless got symptoms and this is the guideline followed by MOH. So supermarkets imposing their own extra rules is just that: extra rules. And these extra ruling is causing shortages in facemasks to the frontliners, which is why MOH is strongly advice not to impose these extra ruling which isn’t necessary.
And FYI, Sabah and Sarawak governments operates differently from Federal Government hence they have their own rules and able to make decisions differently from Putrajaya, this case is one such contrast.
Did you go through all of the info-graphic that IS in MOH website? Initially I found one that instruct people to wear face masks in a crowded place. Upon further browsing, I found another info-graphic by MOH telling people to wear face mask whenever they go out of their house.
My point is not about the extra rules imposed by supermarkets but about how the minister telling people that these facilities cannot impose their own rules and then asks to follow MOH guideline. This causes people to (angrily) cite that “minister say that, minister say this, so why you not follow!?” but they haven’t go through any of the MOH guideline! If any of those really go through all MOH guideline in relation to when is it that MOH advises us to wear face masks, I think they will start to question the minister’s statement.
Syukur and syabas x 1000 to abang abang polis and army….for their kuat kerja membanteras COVID19.
You are also Hero of the frontliners.
Sigh! Persiaran Surian roadbck disallowed drivers intention to go IPC shopping buy tv fridge furniture. Why the retailer gets AP from miti can re-opening again but shoppers cannot travel to there shops?
Kenapalah wakil rakyat haram masih belum ditangkap ataupun disaman?
Sedih tengok jiwa Malaysia.
Kerajaan haram, wakil rakyat haram, role model yang sungguh bagus.
If it could be done, they should have done that 21 months ago.
Illegal or not doesn’t matter. What matters is which wakil rakyat is putting us in front and taking care of us.
From this covid19, we can clearly see Perikatan is doing just that but PH is continuing to deride their efforts. In the first place, PH failed to stop the virus coming in when they ruled because they were afraid the economy will be affected, but money cannot buy life. So I don’t care if Perikatan is illegal or not, they’re doing one heck of a great job and I don’t see why they can’t continue running the country as long they keep putting the good effort.
Very apt. Agreed with you