SIBU: The police showed their total commitment in monitoring the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) on the first day today.
Done as a measure to curb the spread of the Covid-19 here in Sibu, the MCO’s first day saw the conduct of a wide-scale patrol operation around town by the law enforcers.
Today’s operation was led by the head of Crime Prevention and Community Safety Division (JPJKK) Sibu district police headquarters (IPD) DSP Ariffin Bahar. It was held to ensure the public and business premises comply with the MCO guidelines.
Police were seen giving advice and warnings to the public in the town centre, especially in the Sibu Central Market as many did not wear their face masks properly.
“Please wear your face mask properly. Do not pull it to the chin, wear it properly, keep your distance (social distancing),” the cops on duty warned using loudspeakers from police vehicles around the town centre.
Meanwhile, Ariffin said that his party would be monitoring the residents around the urban centre throughout the duration of the MCO.
He also said that other areas would also be monitored, especially areas under MCO in Sibu, Kanowit and Selangau districts.
When asked about the actions towards some non-essential business premises owners that opened their operations on the first day of the MCO, he said that his men would only give a warning in advance.
“Maybe they (premises owners) still do not understand or are confused about what sector can operate during this MCO.
“Currently we only give a warning as today is the first day of MCO,” he said when speaking to reporters today.
He said the monitoring was also aimed at ensuring public compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“No compound was issued to the public; we only provided advice to ensure that they comply with the SOPs while being in public places,” he explained.
The areas monitored by the police were at Jalan Lebuh Tinggi and Jalan Central which are at the town centre.
The State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) announced last Thursday that the Sibu division would undergo MCO implementation following the increase in Covid-19 cases involving the Pasai Cluster.
The implementation of MCO in Sibu Division as a red zone covers the districts of Sibu, Kanowit and Selangau.
