MCO: Improved compliance as police given helping hand by Armed Forces

Enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO) has become more effective and orderly on Sunday after the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) were deployed to help police in their tasks.

Checks by Bernama around the country showed that the deployment of the armed forces on Day 5 of the MCO has resulted in better compliance with the order, as evident from the lighter traffic on the roads and fewer reports of crimes.

Chief of Defence Force Gen Tan Sri Affendi Buang said the MAF had mobilised 7,500 of its personnel around the country to assist police in enforcing the MCO, which is aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19.

Military personnel were seen being deployed at the Sentul district police headquarters here at around noon Sunday, and they were then stationed on several main roads around the capital including Jalan Sentul Pasar, Manjalara, Jalan Segambut Road and Balai Sri Murni.

In Petaling Jaya, near here, 30 personnel from the 25th Battalion Royal Malay Regiment, Bentong, Pahang helped the police carry out their duties in the district.

In Kuching, Sarawak, 134 policemen and 146 military personnel were stationed in eight locations around the city.

In Labuan, 56 members of the armed forces began their engagement on the duty-free island along with 15 COVID-19 movement monitoring groups at three roadblocks which are operating around the clock.

Similarly, in Kuantan, it was reported that 6,500 policemen and 1,500 soldiers were tasked with ensuring people obeyed the order in Pahang.

In Perak, there were 45 police roadblocks involving military personnel across the state to help enforce the MCO, which is in force from March 18 to 31.

In Langkawi, 21 members of the Royal Malaysian Navy were assisting the police in the task.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, in a press conference, previously announced that military personnel would be deployed to assist the police in enforcing the MCO beginning Sunday.

He said the army would assist the police at roadblocks and during patrols as well as be stationed around markets and supermarkets to monitor people’s compliance with the directive on social distancing.

-- BERNAMA