Ismail Sabri: 227 held for MCO violation on Thursday (July 23)

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 227 people were detained for violating the recovery movement control order (MCO), says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The Senior Minister (Security) said 164 people were issued with compounds on Thursday (July 23) while 62 were remanded and another was granted police bail.

"All of them were involved with activities that hampered social distancing," he said in a statement on Friday (July 24).

The compliance operation task force conducted 65,434 checks on Thursday, including on 3,903 supermarkets, 6,080 restaurants, 3,848 banks and 1,303 factories, he added.

"The task force, led by police, will intensify their checks and take action against those who fail to adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs), including members of the public and owners of premises," he said.

On Op Benteng, 2,105 undocumented immigrants, 572 tekong (boat pilots) and 126 smugglers were detained between May 1 and July 23, Ismail Sabri said.

"We also seized 79 boats and 224 vehicles used in the failed attempt to enter the country illegally.

"Police conducted 67 roadblocks nationwide on Thursday and inspected 34,972 vehicles. A total of 10 foreigners were detained for various immigration offences," he added.

Stern action will be taken against anyone who attempts to enter the country illegally, Ismail Sabri said.

"The authorities will tighten security along the nation's borders, especially at 'lorong tikus' (secret passages)," he said.

He urged anyone with information on illegal entry into the country or encroachment by foreign immigrants to contact the National Task Force at 011-62511223.