Follow the orders from Rela, APM too, not just the police - Ismail Sabri

The public is required to obey the orders of the authorities, including members of the Malaysian Volunteer Department (Rela) and the Civil Defence Force (APM) as well as community leaders during the period of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said their instructions were for safeguarding the health and safety of the people.

"I hope the people do not ignore Rela's advice ... they are not afraid and defy Rela's advice. I hope that doesn't happen because what Rela, APM and the community leaders do is to protect the health (and safety) of the community.

“Just consider what Rela, APM and others are doing is for their own benefit. Not necessarily the police, but all (departments and agencies) who care for our welfare, we must obey, the people must obey,” he told a daily media conference in Putrajaya on Thursday.

He said this in response to questions from journalists about the complaints by some quarters that some civilians had not complied with the Rela and APM directives, instead they had only complied with the police.

At the same press conference, Ismail Sabri said to date, no positive case of COVID-19 has been detected involving international students at local universities.

He said if there is a case involving a student at a university, the healthcare staff will make sure he or she is separated immediately.

"If there is a case involving them in the university, we will separate them for treatment. But so far, there has been no case involving international students at universities.

"If there is, we will take the first step by removing them and if too many international students suddenly become positive, maybe we will do a screening test in the university," he said.