KUCHING: Thirty-eight drivers in Sarawak who attempted to flout the inter-district travel ban during the first two days of Hari Raya Aidilfitri were compounded RM1,000 each.
The authorities imposed the travel ban under the conditional movement control order (CMCO) as part of efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Aidi Ismail said 23 of the drivers violated the ban on the first day.
He said police also turned back 140 vehicles during the two-day period.
Those who were asked to go home or were compounded did not have permits for inter-district travel or valid reasons.
On the first day of Raya 101 vehicles were turned back, with Serian recording the highest number of 36 vehicles.
“This was followed by 19 vehicles in Kota Samarahan; Kanowit (14); Dalat (12); Lawas (10); Sarikei (five), Lundu (three) and Mukah (two).
“On the second day, Dalat recorded the most number with 26 vehicles ordered to go home, followed by five each in Kota Samarahan and Kanowit, Serian (two), Miri (one) and Kanowit (five),” Aidi said in a statement.
Those who were asked to go home and those compounded did not have permits to cross districts and had no valid reasons to do so.
Aidi noted that the compounded individuals are required to pay a fine of RM1,000 for violating the conditional movement control order (CMCO).
On other offences during the period, he said 27 individuals were arrested for gambling offences and violation of immigration laws.
The police chief said police would continue to conduct patrols, roadblocks and enforcement operations until Gawai Dayak.
