STARTING tomorrow, individuals caught violating the movement-control order (MCO) will be remanded and charged in court, said Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The senior minister said this is necessary as the public appears to be taking the matter lightly.

“Maybe the RM1,000 fine is too small to them. So, we have to act sternly on this matter,” he told a press conference in Putrajaya today.

He said police will issue the RM1,000 fixed compound only in certain cases.

“Police will use their discretion. In certain cases, they will still issue the compound, but our main priority has changed.

“Therefore, starting tomorrow, those arrested for breaching the MCO will be remanded and charged in court.

“Let the court decide on the punishment.”

Those found guilty under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) are liable to imprisonment of up to two years, or a fine, or both.

Ismail Sabri said police arrested 1,374 people yesterday for breaching the MCO, bringing the total number of arrests since March 18, the first day of the order’s implementation, to more than 9,000.

“Of the 1,374, 931 were issued the RM1,000 compound, 418 were remanded and 25 were released on bail.

“We see the numbers increasing every day. As of yesterday, 9,090 individuals were arrested, with 427 charged in court.

“We are not going to compromise. As I’ve said earlier, starting tomorrow, we will remand MCO violators and we will charge them in court.” – April 14, 2020.