Security forces to be stationed at Selayang markets - Ismail Sabri

Police and military personnel will be deployed to the Selayang wholesale and wet markets to ensure that visitors comply with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), says Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said this was because the requirement for social distancing was not being properly observed at the premises.

"In the meeting today morning, it was decided that we should station the police and military in order to ensure compliance (with the SOP) at the Selayang Wholesale Market and the Selayang Wet Market," he told a press conference after a Special Ministerial Committee Meeting on the Movement Control Order (MCO) here, today.

Ismail Sabri said similar issues had previously been raised of the market at Ayer Itam, Penang, and visitors there had already begun complying with the order and SOP issued by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and police.

"We will ensure that the market in Selayang is also compliant with any government-issued SOP," he said.

At the same time, he assured that food supply would always remain sufficient, and that the public need not worry or make panic purchases.

Ismail Sabri also said that all agricultural related activities, including transportation and providing agricultural needs would remain operational throughout the MCO.

"There are some who have asked if they can still plant rice, sow the paddy seedlings, or go to the sea as fishermen. All of these activities are allowed as usual.

"It is not only limited to those involved in terms of the production, but the whole agriculture-related chain is allowed (to operate)," he said.

These include vehicles transporting the agricultural produce, fertiliser shops, as well as agricultural products packaging factories.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri urged the people to report unscrupulous traders who raised prices indiscriminately to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP).

"KPDNHEP enforcement officers are constantly monitoring business premises that sell food products and so on, to ensure prices are not indiscriminately raised by traders.

"We will not allow anyone to take advantage of the people during this time of hardship," he said.

-- BERNAMA