Slight dip in recovery MCO compliance in Penang, says state's top cop

GEORGE TOWN: The compliance rate with the recovery movement control order (MCO) in Penang has dropped to 97%, says state police chief Comm Datuk Sahabudin Abd Mana.

He said this is due to the reopening of more business outlets such as restaurants, malls and public places since the recovery MCO was implemented on June 10.

"We see a bit of a drop in the compliance rate during the recovery MCO, but it is not much compared to what we had achieved before, which was at 98%," he said on Tuesday (July 21).

Comm Sahabudin said fewer compounds were also issued during the period as police focused more on giving advice rather than punitive punishment to those who flouted the rules.

However, he said police will not hesitate to take any action on individuals or business premises who blatantly violated the recovery MCO.

He said police will continue with operations to enforce the recovery MCO with regular checks and inspections to enforce the rules.

"We will continue with the enforcement, the order is there for us to enforce it," he said.

Earlier, Comm Sahabudin attended state police monthly assembly at state police headquarters.

The assembly was the first to be held after more than three months due to the MCO.

The last assembly was held on March 3,2020, before the MCO was implemented.

In his speech, Comm Sahabudin reminded police personnel to practice the highest integrity and good conduct during their service.

He said as law enforcers who are responsible for fighting crime, it was important to have the highest integrity so that they can serve the public well.

During the ceremony, a total of 17 senior police officers, junior police officers and public officers received appreciation certificates while another five personnel received the Penang contingent 2020 Integrity Award from Comm Sahabudin.

Meanwhile, Penang Narcotic Crime Investigation Department (NCID) (law/inspectorate) staff officer Deputy Supt Tium Ming Kung will be promoted to the rank of Superintendent and head the Terengganu NCID.

A total of 300 police personnel attended the monthly assembly.