Ismail Sabri: Those stranded in their hometowns have until May 1 to apply for permission to return to the city

PETALING JAYA: Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has clarified that those stranded in their hometowns must apply for permission to return to the cities by May 1 via the Gerak Malaysia app or at a police station.

He added that no time frame had been set for them to actually return as it was still being discussed, although Federal CID director Comm Datuk Huzir Mohamed was reported as saying that those eligible would be able to travel between May 1 and 3.

"We are still gathering data. We will come up with an SOP (standard operating procedure) after a meeting between the National Security Council (NSC), police and the Health Ministry.

"We appreciate the SOP prepared by the police but we must discuss it with the NSC and the Health Ministry first.

"The proposed SOP must also be brought to a special ministerial meeting for approval," he said on Sunday (April 26).

Ismail Sabri added that allowing people to return from their hometowns was not as straightforward as making arrangements for students stranded in campuses to return.

"Campuses are green zones, as there have been no reported Covid-19 cases after more than a month.

"However, we do not know the status of those stranded elsewhere in Malaysia.

"We also will not allow students to return to homes in red zones and will test those staying off-campus for Covid-19 before allowing them to leave," he said.

He also said the police and the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission had taken stern action against those spreading fake news.

"To date, 238 investigation papers have been opened.

"Of this total, 170 cases are still under investigation, 24 have been charged in court, 13 pleaded guilty, and 11 were issued warning notices.

"Before forwarding any messages, please visit the sebenarnya.my portal to check its authenticity.

"Action can also be taken against those forwarding fake news," he warned.

Ismail said he was disheartened to note the number of people caught breaching the movement control order (MCO) had increased from 386 cases on Friday (April 24) to 557 cases on Saturday (April 25).

"I was happy to note a decline in the number of people caught breaching MCO for three consecutive days. But yesterday (Saturday), it went up again," he said.

He reminded those living in green zones not to breach the MCO.

"The MCO has yet to be lifted even if there are no new cases in green zones," he said.

Ismail also noted a video that had gone viral showing an elderly person being detained for breaching the MCO.

"Police only take stern action against those who continue ignoring advice," he said.

A total of 446,024 vehicles were inspected at 824 roadblocks nationwide on Saturday.