GOMBAK: The best way to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year is to stay at home to minimise contact with friends and acquaintances, says Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador.
The Inspector-General of Police said it was best for Malaysians to heed the advice of the Health Ministry to curb the spread of Covid-19.
"The less contact you have with outsiders, the better. Let the frontliners such as the police and armed forces be on the lookout and you can stay home and enjoy your ketupat, lemang, rendang and other Raya delicacies," he said when met at a roadblock at the Gombak Toll Plaza on Saturday (May 23).
Hamid said he was proud of the members of the police force who have given their best to shoulder the responsibilities of enforcing the movement control order (MCO) with the armed forces.
"I was recently briefed at Bukit Aman about their enthusiasm in carrying out this responsibility, especially preventing those trying to travel interstate without valid reasons and permission," he said.
He added that sacrificing the festivities to fulfil their duties on the ground is not new for the police force and their spirit to serve has not wavered as Malaysia continues its fight against Covid-19.
Hamid said that while the force doesn't neglect the welfare of its personnel, he was sad to learn about personnel being injured or killed while enforcing the MCO.
He said that police personnel face dangers from drunk drivers as well as those believed to be carrying contraband who hit everything in their path as they try to make a hasty getaway.
On May 2,31-year-old Corporal Safwan Muhammad Ismail - who was posthumously promoted to Sergeant - was killed when he was hit by an alleged drunk driver while manning a roadblock in Kajang.
The driver, 44-year-old businessman K.Kalaichelvan was later charged with drunk driving, failing to stop at a roadblock and driving without a license at the Kajang Sessions Court.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Separately, Hamid said police will be on the lookout for those who flout the rules while celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
He said personnel have been advised to watch out for an unusual number of cars at premises, as that could indicate the arrival of outstation visitors.
"The police have a way to identify such things and residents will be questioned," he said.
Hamid was also happy to note the light traffic at the Gombak toll plaza, which would usually be packed with cars heading back to hometowns for Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
"This indicates that the majority of people understand they have to stay put to curb the spread of Covid-19. It's just about 5% of people that are still stubborn.
"They can try different tactics to break the rules and escape to their hometowns but police will be waiting at roadblocks for them," he said.
