14,922 arrested in first two phases of MCO

KUALA LUMPUR: Almost 15,000 people have been arrested in the first two phases of the movement control order (MCO), says Comm Datuk Huzir Mohamed.

The Bukit Aman CID director said 14,922 people have been arrested between March 18 and April 14 for violating the MCO and that police would not compromise during the third phase which begins on Wednesday (April 15).

"In Phase One, a total of 3,627 people were arrested, but the number increased by 7,668 in Phase Two to 11,295 people.

"This shows that many are not complying despite numerous reminders and stern action taken," he told a press conference in Bukit Aman on Wednesday (April 15).

Comm Huzir said out of the total number of people arrested, 5,830 of them have been charged in court.

He said under Phase Three, all violators of the MCO would be charged in court from now.

"While some gave various excuses, most of them were 'speechless' when questioned.

"We even found one person who went through the same roadblock four times in the same day and his excuse was to buy groceries.

"We will open investigation papers and forward them to the Attorney-General's chambers to recommend prosecution," he said.

Comm Huzir added that the police would push for the maximum sentence to be imposed when dealing with repeat offenders.

On the remarks by some lawyers, who questioned the arrests of MCO violators, saying it went against the Criminal Procedure Code, Comm Huzir said the MCO was very clear and that it has been gazetted.

"Violating the MCO is not a small offence. If everyone does not abide by it, it will become a major catastrophe for the country as the disease will continue to spread," he said.