Accusing the police of cruelty is unfair - IGP

He said claims, such as the police are cruel for imposing stern action, including hefty compound, is inappropriate as every action by the police is in accordance with the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 in an effort to break the chain on the COVID-19 infection.

"People take advantage, some want to be popular, they throw all sorts of wild accusations and then hide their hands. An example is the case in Lahad Datu, where the police allegedly arrested many beggars there.

"Actually, in Pala'u people can be seen begging at almost every traffic light there, so the police went to arrest them, what more with the current situation with the virus spreading.

“In Sabah, the number of cases has dropped to 35 and we want to reduce it further.

"Therefore, the police must take action to prevent them from roaming around as they may be infected. So the police arrested them, but what came out in the news said that the police imposed a compound action of RM10,000 against them.

“The real story is, we (police) arrested them under the Immigration Act and then handed them over to the Social Welfare Department. There was no compound issued... we know they can't afford the compound, then don’t even have RM5, what more RM10,000.

“So, to say that the police are cruel is indeed unfair, ” he told Bernama.

Likewise, he said, was in the case involving a man and and his lover who were allegedly issued a compound of RM10,000 recently while eating and drinking in Cheras.

He said the action was not taken by the police, but by another government agency.

As such, he said, the public should be more mature and not simply accused the police as any action taken by the police is for the people’s interest and to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the action of the police, as an enforcer of the law, was in accordance with Act 342 on the control of infectious diseases.

“The law comes under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health (MOH) (Act 342) ... we were asked and authorised to assist MOH to enforce the law,” he said, adding that the issue on the RM10,000 compound had been discussed since the third wave of COVID-19 when new clusters emerged and began to spread in the community.

"The RM10,000 compound is not intended for first time offender, but for those who commit the offence for subsequent times, those who have been compounded for violating the standard operating procedures (SOP)," he added.

He said those who felt they were not guilty and victimised when issued hefty compound could appeal to the Ministry of Health through the District Health Office where the compound notice was issued.