Police have power to conduct house visits

JOHOR BARU: The police have the authority to conduct house visits under Rule 13 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) (Measures Within Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020.

Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said under the regulations, homeowners are required to provide necessary information requested by the police.

“The police have the authority to conduct inspection of any suspected houses. We will inspect the Identification Card from all of the house members, and from this, we can identify those who have travelled interstate.

“Action will be taken against those who violated the standard operation procedure of the conditional movement control order (MCO), ” he said.

Comm Ayob added that under Rule 6 of Act 342, interstate travel is only allowed for those who are working, and have the written approval from the police.

“For unauthorised interstate travel, action can be taken under

Rule 7(1) of Act 342 where all persons inside the vehicles can be arrested.

“For the case of gathering (during the first day of Hari Raya), action can be taken against all those in the congregation of more than 20 people inside the premises under the same rule, ” he said, adding that the arrests and compounds are made in accordance with Act 342 (Measures Within Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020.