KUCHING: Police are working round the clock, having deployed personnel to conduct checks and roadblocks on members of the public who refused to comply with the movement control order (MCO).
As such, police will not hesitate to arrest anyone who failed to adhere to the two-week MCO imposed to contain the spread of Covid-19.
However, such move would be the last resort in ensuring compliance, said Central Police Station chief ASP Ahmad Abang.
According to him, police officers and personnel are still taking the lenient approach in advising those who are out and about to stay at home except those working in essential services, listed by the National Security Council or emergencies.
“All efforts are being made to curb the spread of Covid-19 and we will continue to monitor throughout the MCO from March 18 until 31,” he told this to reporters when met at a roadblock at Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg near the Old Court House on Thursday night.
He pointed out that errant individuals would be issued warnings and for those who still wander around without any purpose, action would be taken against them stipulated under the Prevention and Control Infectious Diseases Act 1988.
ASP Ahmad added that police had launched a 24-hour operation centre to oversee cases related to Covid-19 since since the first day of MCO.
In a separate development, Sarawak Commissioner of Police Datuk Aidi Ismail when contacted reiterated that errant eateries operators could risk having their license revoked if they failed to comply with the latest order issued by the government during the MCO period.
“All local councils are to enforce the order and the police will assist the council officers.
“Our approach is to advise, warn and take action if the owner still refuses to obey, their licences can be revoked or suspended by the local council,” he stressed.
Seperately, Comm Aidi advised members of the public to not be easily taken in by the chain messages regarding the spread of Covid-19 in the state making its rounds on social media.
“The public are advised to refer to any police station if they have any doubt,” he added.
