Cops begin watch in Klang Valley

PETALING JAYA: As swathes of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur go under an enhanced movement control order today, police will be tightening their grip while allowing some leeway for emergencies and people who need to perform essential tasks.

This includes those who have to travel for their vaccinations, said Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, adding that three people, including the driver, would be allowed to travel in a vehicle for medical and vaccination purposes in enhanced MCO areas.

He said individuals going for vaccinations only have to show proof of their appointment on MySejahtera or the website, an appointment card or confirmation SMS to police personnel when going through roadblocks.

“For emergency cases such as illness or death, permission to travel will be given on a case-by-case basis. We advise the public to continue to adhere to the Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) so that the spread of the virus can be contained, ” he said in a statement yesterday.

Meanwhile, Selangor state police chief Comm Datuk Arjunaidi Mohamed said more roadblocks will be set up to ensure SOP compliance in the 34 districts in the state that are under the enhanced MCO.

He said it was impossible for police to set up barbed-wire fences as used in other enhanced MCO locations since the current one involved vast areas of land.

“Currently, we have between 120 and 140 roadblocks in the state. We will increase this number as well as the snap inspections by our compliance operation task force.

“Enforcement will be focused at the roadblocks located at the entrance of roads to each district involved in the enhanced MCO, ” Comm Arjunaidi said in an interview with Selangor TV.

Some 80% of the 14, 000-strong state police will be deployed for Covid-19 operations, he added.

“The police will be at all the necessary locations in Selangor to ensure that only those permitted to travel are able to do so.

“We will also conduct mobile roadblocks at strategic locations from time to time if there is a need to do so, ” he added.

Comm Arjunaidi said only workers listed under essential or permitted services and industries will be allowed to travel during the enhanced MCO.

“They must have the necessary documents and letters when going through roadblocks.

“This also applies to those working in Selangor and living in Kuala Lumpur or vice versa. Those who don’t have the necessary documents will be told to turn back and if they have crossed state borders, they will be issued compound notices and instructed to turn back, ” he added.

However, Comm Arjunaidi stressed that leeway will be given to those going for vaccine appointments.

“For example, if two people from a household are going for vaccine appointments on the same day and at the same location, we will allow them to be in the same car despite the SOP saying only one person is allowed in a car.

“It is similar for those travelling for medical reasons.

“We urge those with inquiries or facing any problems regarding the SOP to call our operations room. We will assist and provide the necessary advice, ” he said.

The operations room number is listed as 03-55145203/ 5204/ 5206.

Comm Arjunaidi advised the public to give their full cooperation, noting that Selangor has been recording the highest number of new daily cases for a while now.

“Thus, the enhanced MCO is necessary to isolate the movement of the people in Selangor to other states.

“If the people give their full cooperation, God willing, we will be able to bring down the number of cases within two weeks, ” he said.

In KUALA LUMPUR, police chief Comm Datuk Azmi Abu Kassim said the enhanced MCO in the 14 localities here will be similar to previous ones.

He said police will use barbed-wire fences and road barriers at the localities involved.

“We have asked the assistance of the Armed Forces to install barbed-wire fences at the 14 areas.

“The areas under enhanced MCO in Kuala Lumpur are much smaller compared to the ones in Selangor, thus we will be able to use barbed-wire fences and barriers, ” he said when contacted.

Ample personnel and officers will be deployed to ensure there is no illegal movement of residents, he added.

“The existing roadblocks in the city will be maintained as well, ” he added.