KUALA LUMPUR: Leave for policemen has been frozen to ensure maximum strength while enforcing the movement control order, the nation’s top cop said.
“Leave has been frozen unless it is an emergency. This is so that we have maximum strength to enforce the MCO and its SOPs, ” said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador (pic) at a press conference at Bukit Aman on Tuesday (Jan 12).
On roadblocks that would be enforced from Wednesday (Jan 13), he said that at least 300 will be enforced at the start, with the possibility of more.
“The road blocks will be focused at exit tolls and state borders.
“We are still deciding on the exact number needed and on where to place them for them to be effective. I estimate that they will be more than 300 roadblocks, and I have the manpower to do more, ” he said.
At the moment, around 48,000 policemen have been mobilised, with 12,000 more on standby.
The IGP assured all that the police will accommodate road users to the best of their abilities and that he has instructed his men to use their discretion.
“It’s not like we want to trouble the public. We also understand the difficulty of balancing life and livelihood and finding the middle ground.
“We will use the lessons learnt from the last MCO, and I hope this time, there will be less confusion. But for those with grievances they can refer to Bukit Aman, ” he said.
Proposals to strengthen Covid-19 enforcement are still in the works, he said, including increasing the RM1,000 compound.
“Several proposals are being discussed and they have not been finalised. I will leave it to Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to make the necessary announcement.
“But I can confirm that they are many proposals, ” he said.
The IGP also denied that the state of emergency was being used by the police for added powers.
“Nothing will change in terms of duties and powers of the police. The power to issue compounds on the spot is still there, and that is what we will continue to do so, ” he said.
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