Police will take stern action against anyone trying to conceal information regarding COVID-19, especially those from the Sri Petaling Mosque tabligh cluster, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

He said he had all the data regarding the cluster, which is believed to be the cause of the prolonged chain of infection.

“I appeal to anyone who has had contact with the cluster to come forward for screening. We will not arrest them.

“This is the first warning and we will not hesitate to take sterner action after this, considering we are entering the second phase of the Movement Control Order (MCO),” he told a press conference at Bukit Aman here today.

He, however, refused to elaborate when asked what kind of sterner action would be taken.

“COVID-19 doesn’t recognise race, religion and status or anyone associated with COVID-19. So, I ask all parties to cooperate with the police,” he said.

Hamzah also advised the public not to fabricate or disseminate fake news on COVID-19.

“Don’t let this break up national unity and create public ire that can cause other problems to arise.

“Instead, everyone should play a role in ensuring we can overcome this problem together,” said Hamzah, who hoped that the chain of infection could be broken through the help of all parties during the second phase of the MCO, which is from April 1 to 14.

Earlier, he visited Bukit Aman for the first time since being appointed Home Minister on March 10.

Also present were Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador and his deputy Datuk Mazlan Mansor.

-- BERNAMA