Police to reduce roadblocks from May 4, says IGP

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The police will reduce roadblocks from Monday (May 4), and will focus on enforcement of social distance compliance, as well as curbing the entry of illegal immigrants and smuggling activities.

This is in line with the government's conditional movement control order (CMCO) on Friday (May 1), which gave some flexibility in the enforcement of MCO.

Inspector-General Of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said several roadblocks would also be shifted to locations found to be the entry routes for illegals and smuggling activities.

"In line with the government's recent directive, the police and the Armed Forces will increase their control of the main routes identified as being used by the human smugglers to bring in illegal immigrants.

"The routes will be strengthned with new roadblocks which are tightly guarded to ensure the spread of Covid-19 can be curbed in accordance with the directive of the MCO," he said.

Hamid said police welcomed the government's decision to allow the operations of almost all sectors of the economy during the MCO but would continue to monitor all activities to ensure social distancing was followed.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in a special message on Labour Day said most economic and social activities would be allowed to operate from May 4, subject to the stipulated standard operating procedures (SOPs).

For example, restaurants are allowed to operate in accordance with the business SOP, outdoor sports activities such as playing badminton or outdoor tennis without spectators, jogging, bicycling, golf and running of not more than 10 persons were allowed on the condition social distancing was observed.

Meanwhile, Hamid said the government's conditional MCO to be implemented starting Monday (May 4) was not a ticket for the people to move freely.

"The decision made by the government is not a guarantee that the disease has been successfully overcomed. The government has given the flexibility in the economic interest and as such the people have to be patient and not be hasty," he said.

He said the government would actually relax further the conditions of the MCO in the future so that people could go out and do leisure activities.

"That is already in the works, but it has not yet been decided when the right time is. But it (the government) must ensure that the situation is completely safe to do so and social distancing is always practiced.

"So I reiterate, don’t let the situation on Monday become chaotic, long congestions take place and that the people emerge in droves to the point the situation becomes uncontrollable," he said.