MCO: Another 11,017 violators brought straight to court

The government has reiterated that it will not tolerate any individuals who violate the Movement Control Order (MCO) which has entered its third phase.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said those who disobeyed the MCO's directives were no longer issued compound notices, instead they were brought before the courts.

As of Wednesday, the total number of cumulative arrests was 11,017 individuals.

"A total of 56,052 surprise inspections were conducted nationwide, with 6,364 premises being checked by the authorities.

"The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) has arrested 1,315 individuals for violating the MCO, with 1,226 individuals being remanded and 89 people released on police bail.

"A total of 312 individuals have been indicted in court," he said at a press conference here today.

Ismail Sabri also said the PDRM together with the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) had set up 813 roadblocks nationwide, with 558,548 vehicles inspected.

He said the increase indicated that there were still many vehicles on the road despite the enforcement of the MCO.

"I would like to remind everyone that the law on the MCO is still in force (as) it has not yet been withdrawn.

"The MCO continues for the third phase and anyone who violates it will be subject to action. So, the presence of such a large number of vehicles seems to indicate people have forgotten that the MCO is still in force and they are subject to its directives," he said.

According to Ismail Sabri, PDRM also found that the presence of many vehicles on the road, especially non-essential service vehicles, was because many had taken advantage of resuming business operations without prior approval.

"It must be emphasized that all industries must seek the approval of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and they are not allowed to operate without MITI's approval.

"However, industries and sectors such as food and medical supplies, which were authorized to operate during the first and second phase of the MCO, can continue doing so,” he said.