POLICE will not hesitate to take stern action, including arresting those who flout the movement control order (MCO), said Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador.

He said the strict enforcement of the order willl ensue as soon as it gets the green light from the special committee headed by Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Today is the second day the order is in effect. Police have so far taken a soft approach and are urging people they see out in the streets to stay indoors.

Hamid said his men have been advising the public who refuse to abide by the MCO.

“This is why we carried out about 504 roadblocks yesterday, the first day of the control order.

“We have also set up special teams to monitor hot locations like playing fields.

“People are gathering at these places as though there are no restrictions,” he told reporters after visiting a roadblock in Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur today.

He said the police would consult the special committee on heavier penalties against offenders if the low level of compliance continued.

“I hope we can reach a compliance rate of 80 to 90%. If we can hit 95%, so much the better.

“I hope the public will understand and comply. Don’t let the situation get to the stage where we have to take stern action, including arresting offenders.

“We don’t want to get to that level. What is important is to curb the spread of Covid-19.”

The government imposed a two-week MCO effective yesterday in an attempt to stop the rapid spread of Covid-19.
 
All commercial activity except for essential services are shut down.

Earlier today Ismail said only about 60% of Malaysians are complying with the order and that the government was considering deploying the army to ensure people remained indoors.

The state governments and local councils today also ordered restaurants and food stalls to close early.

 Malaysia today reported 110 new Covid-19 cases, bringing the total to 900 and becoming the fourth most badly hit country in Asia. There have been two deaths.