THOSE jailed for breaching the movement control order did not just disobey police instructions but obstructed security personnel from carrying out their duties, said Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

“Those arrested and jailed did not just breach the MCO but obstructed the authorities from carrying out their duties.

“There are several incidences where drivers tried to ram their cars through a roadblock. That is not an offence under the MCO but it is a criminal offence.

“Therefore, the investigation is not just for breaching the restriction order but obstructing officers from their duties,” the defence minister said today during the daily National Security Council press conference in Putrajaya.

He urged the public to respect and obey order from security personnel manning the roadblocks throughout the MCO period.

The senior minister then urged the public not to obstruct the duties of any police officer.

“I hope that the public can give their utmost cooperation to the police and the army who are handling roadblocks.

“Please do not use vulgar words against them or insult them. They are performing their duties to make sure we are safe,” he added.

His remarks follows reports of various parties criticising the heavy penalties being meted out to offenders during the MCO.

Activists and lawyers have called upon the police to come up with a new standard operating procedure (SOP) in handling MCO violators.

They feel these violators should not be treated as criminals, and suggested that fines are sufficient instead of seeking jail terms or having them remanded pending prosecution.

Their calls coincides with similar sentiments from the Prisons Department, which has urged the courts not to jail MCO offenders as it was causing overcrowding in prisons and making social distancing impossible. They urged judges to sentence offenders to community service instead.

This morning, Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat called on judges to consider overcrowded jails when sentencing offenders who violate the MCO.

In a letter issued today, the office of the chief registrar of the Federal Court told all judicial officers to weigh the punishment being meted out with the risk of spreading Covid-19 infections because of overcrowded prisons. – April 5, 2020.