CMCO: "Don't get too comfortable, not impossible to go back to MCO" - Ismail Sabri

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob reminded the public not to get too comfortable with the relief provided during the enforcement of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).

According to him, the people seemed to see no law was being enforced due to the relaxation given during the CMCO besides receiving reports of public disobedience to the law.

“When we relax enforcement, we expect the people to obey the law that has been set due to concerns over a new COVID19 case.

"I would like to remind you that the CMCO cannot be permanent, it may be retightened based on the people’s compliance. If there are a lot of non-compliance, it is not something impossible for us to return to MCO enforcement," he said at a press conference here on Tuesday.

Ismail Sabri said although the government had given some relief during the CMCO, the implementation of the law through Act 342 was still in effect and offenders could be fined RM1,000 or six months' jail or both.

He also directed the Royal Malaysian Police Force (PDRM) to continue to take firm action against those who were found to be in violation of the rules laid down during the CMCO.

“At this stage, the police are still taking steps to provide advice and warnings. However, the reports we received from the police have largely been on non-compliance throughout the MCO.

"We have decided that the counselling and warning phase have ended, and the police are empowered to take legal action against those who fail to comply with the SOP or the regulations set out under the CMCO," he added.