MCO: 312 detained for flouting SOP - Ismail Sabri

KUALA LUMPUR:A total of 312 individuals were arrested and compounded by The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) for disobeying orders of the Movement Control Order (MCO), said Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

"Among the offences for disobeying the MCO's instructions include not wearing a face mask, failing to comply with social distancing instructions, etc.," he said in a press conference on the MCO here on Wednesday.

The task force established will increase inspections and take action against individuals and owners of premises that violate the SOP.

From May 1 to November 24, 2020, Operation Benteng (Op Benteng) has detained 8,760 illegal immigrants (PATI), 798 skippers and 360 smugglers.

"Yesterday alone, 36 illegal immigrants were arrested in the operation, including a skipper, five hijacked vehicles and a boat," he added.

According to Ismail Sabri, a total of 261 Operation Benteng roadblocks (SJR) were conducted on Tuesday.

National Boundary Control of Operation Benteng involving PDRM, Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and Malaysian Border Security Agency (MBSA) strictly controls national borders from being encroached by illegal immigrants to curb cross-border crime as well as curb the spread of COVID -19.

Thus, the government will take stern action against any party who tried to enter the country's borders illegally and enforcement agencies will continue to tighten border control, especially in the rat lanes.