Army to help enforce MCO from Sunday, says minister

Updated 6 years ago · Published on 20 Mar 2020 12:08PM · 7 Comments

A soldier saluting during the 62nd Merdeka Day parade in Putrajaya on August 30, last year. The army will be deployed to aid police during the movement control order from Sunday. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, March 20, 2020.

THE army will help the police enforce the movement control order (MCO) from Sunday, said Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The defence minister said the decision was made in a national emergency meeting this morning.

He also urged Malaysians to comply with the order so that the government’s fight to curb the Covid-19 spread will be successful.

“The army will be mobilised to help the police keep order and ensure Malaysians follow the MCO to stay home,” the senior minister said in Putrajaya today.

Although the police have said there was an increase in compliance with the order, there were still isolated incidents of people refusing to follow instructions.

“Parents were taking their children to the playground and some people were seen at restaurants.

“Despite being told to disperse, they do not. If this persists, the police will have to use stricter measures, including detaining or charging them under the Police Act,” said Ismail.

He added the police were empowered by the health minister under the Control of the Spread of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and Police Act 1967 to take action against those flouting the order.

Ismail added that Health Minister Dr Adham Baba will issue a similar instruction to the army.

“We are using an advisory approach to get people to stay home and not go out. But this will not be forever. Those who refuse to follow instructions can be fined RM1,000 or jailed for up to two years.”

Meanwhile, Ismail said Putrajaya will issue letters to government staff who need to work during this period.

“This will allow them to go to work (and show the letter) when the police stop them. The International Trade and Industry Ministry will do the same for private companies.”

As of yesterday, police have staged roadblocks and inspected some 11,000 vehicles, Ismail said.

So far, Malaysia has recorded 900 Covid-19 cases with two fatalities.

Worldwide, there have been 242,300 infections with a death toll of 9,857.

Putrajaya imposed a two-week movement control order in a bid to halt the spread of the deadly disease. – March 20, 2020.

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Comments

  • Good move. All the best

    Posted 6 years ago by Dato Radha · Reply

  • Seeing soldiers on the streets may spark another panic buying.

    Posted 6 years ago by Elyse Gim · Reply

    • look like it is more than just enforcing MCO!

      Posted 6 years ago by CHEH Liang Mok · Reply

  • WHY WAIT UNTIL SUNDAY??? If people doesnt know how to behave

    Posted 6 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply

  • Do we really need the Army to get involved? Yes we need their healthcare assets but not their active combatants. We are fighting a virus, not an external incursion so why deploy the army??? As far as I know, there have not been any public disorder or mass demonstration. The police is doing their jobs despite their initial hiccups. We do not want to set a precedent where the army is deployed at the slightest excuse like parents taking their children to playground etc...Mind you, this is not a total lockdown which means people can still go out to run necessary chores like buying food. The key is to practice good hygiene and personal care. Can the army teach people to do that???

    Posted 6 years ago by Super Duper · Reply

  • Better enforce curfew if army need to be employed. Virus could be more devastating than terrorist but bullets can't even kill one virus. So far I think PDRM is doing a good job. Even PM keep revising the level of restriction and tighthening the procedures, what does the Defence Minister expect the soldiers to do? Frighten the rakyat or demonstrating the power of Defence Minister?

    Posted 6 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • Looks like only when the army steps in will the delinquents comply

    Posted 6 years ago by Radhika Sathya · Reply