Police assurance over movement control order

Malaysia may be moving into uncharted territory at midnight tonight under the 14-day movement control order over COVID-19 but there is nothing that the people have to be overly concerned about.

The movement control order is not a curfew order whereby one is totally prohibited from leaving one's home, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador stated categorically.

The nation's top cop said it is unnecessary for the people to resort to panic buying because Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had given the assurance of sufficient food supplies, daily essentials and healthcare items.

In his nationwide address over television yesterday, Muhyiddin also said that he had directed the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to constantly monitor food supplies and daily essentials in the market throughout the fortnight until March 31.

READ: COVID-19: PM announces restricted movement order

Of course, there has to be some form of prohibition so as to contain and eliminate COVID-19 altogether.

The order, made under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and the Police Act 1967, imposes a comprehensive restriction on movements and public gatherings throughout the country, including religious, sports, social and cultural activities.

All houses of worship and business premises must be closed but not supermarkets, wet markets, grocery shops and convenience stores selling daily necessities.

All pre-schools, government and private schools, fully residential schools, international schools, tahfiz centres, other primary, secondary and pre-university educational institutions, and all private and public institutions of higher learning and skills training institutes must remain closed during the period.

The order also involves a comprehensive restriction on all Malaysians travelling abroad. Those who have just returned from overseas are required to undergo a health check and a 14-day self-quarantine.

The restriction also covers the entry of all foreign tourists and visitors into the country.

While most government and private premises would be closed, the government is keenly aware of the need to maintain the essential services running so that life goes on.

They are those involved in water, electricity, energy, telecommunications, postal services, transport, irrigation, oil, gas, fuel, lubricants, broadcasting, finance, banking, health, pharmacy, fire brigade, prisons, ports, airports, security, defence, cleaning, retail and food supplies.

Muhyiddin had said the government's priority is to contain COVID-19, which is feared can infect more Malaysians, and as such, this drastic action of restricting the movement of the public is necessary to curb the spread of the disease.

"I appeal to everyone to always comply with this movement control order. It is our common responsibility that we must implement as citizens who are concerned about our family, our society and our country," he had said.

Malaysia today recorded its first two deaths from COVID-19.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said one was a 34-year-old Malaysian who had attended a tabligh religious gathering at a mosque in Sri Petaling and died in Johor Bahru while the other is a 60-year-old man with a history of chronic ailments who died in Kuching.

He said 120 new cases were recorded as of noon today, raising the total number in the country to 673. Forty-nine cases have recovered so far.

Abdul Hamid said the movement control order is being implemented for the sake of national security and public safety.

"As such, the public should not spread unverified or fake news which can create uneasiness and worry," he said.

-- BERNAMA