A TOTAL of 1,248 vehicles that tried to cross state borders to return to their home towns yesterday were forced by the police to turn back, Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said. 

He said the number was more than double that of the day before. 

“The day before yesterday, I announced that 508 vehicles were asked to turn back and yesterday, some 1,248 vehicles trying to cross state borders in an attempt to return to their home towns were also asked to turn back. 

“This means the number of those trying to sneak their way home doubled,” he told his daily media briefing on the conditional movement control order (CMCO) in Putrajaya today. 

Ismail Sabri warned those who do manage to sneak pass police roadblocks: “There is no guarantee that you will not be stopped at roadblocks when you return to the cities.” 

“You may be thrilled with having snuck across but as for your journey back to the states where you work, there is no guarantee,” he said. 

He also said that the police have mounted 147 interstate roadblocks across the country and have inspected 218,027 vehicles so far. 

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri urged community leaders and voluntary bodies, such as Rela, to educate their community members on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988( Act 342).

He said there were many, especially those from rural communities, who are still not well informed about the law and implications of violating its provisions.

“When you are the community leader, you have a role to play in instilling awareness on the importance of Act 342 and the implications and penalties if the law is violated. 

“Everyone must work together with the government to help create awareness on this, especially during the Aidilfitri festive season,” he said. 

Ismail Sabri also said the police detained 132 individuals for violating standard operating procedures yesterday, all of whom have since been remanded. – Bernama, May 17, 2020.