Daily MCO violators increased to 1,220 - Ismail Sabri

Even though the Movement Control (MCO) has entered its 26th day, there was still open defiance against its directives, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today.

In a daily press conference after chairing the Ministerial Special Committee Meeting on the MCO here, he said 1,220 individuals were arrested yesterday, including 854 individuals who were issued a compound of RM1,000, 345 people remanded while 21 others released on police bail.

"The total number of compounds issued was 2,156 while the total cumulative arrest of the MCO from March 18 to April 11, 2020 (yesterday) was 8,125 individuals," he added.

In addition, the Bera MP said the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) along with the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) had conducted 783 roadblocks nationwide and inspected 435,361 vehicles.

He said a total of 48,123 surprise inspections were also conducted nationwide with 6,158 premises checked by the authorities.

On the RM1,000 fine being regarded as too low to be a deterrent, Ismail Sabri said the act used throughout the MCO would need to be amended first to increase the fine or jail sentence.

But he added that the police also have the option to take more stringent action on certain cases, including bringing those who have refused to comply with the MCO to court.

“I believe (after this) the police will more likely bring the defaulters to court. The case is not just for MCO's disobedience, but for cases under the Penal Code such as obstructing civil servants from carrying out their duties and more.

"Some have knocked down the policeman and so on, it has also led them (the defaulter) to be charged under more serious offence with heavier penalties," he said.