Cops And Army Officers Will 'Visit' Your House To Nab CMCO Violators During Hari Raya
The Inspector-General of Police said the police will take the interstate travel ban seriously.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 20 May 2020, 01:22 PM
Don't be surprised if officers come knocking on your doors to check if your family is in compliance with the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) during Hari Raya
In a press conference yesterday, 19 May, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) will be conducting patrols in residential areas nationwide to ensure households do not exceed a maximum of 20 people at a time and nab those who travel interstate without permits.
"You might think that the police will not catch you on the day of Hari Raya. You are right, not every household will be checked," said Ismail.
"But I was told by the Inspector-General of Police that the authorities will be patrolling every area in the country and if a house is spotted with a lot of vehicles parked outside, the police will knock on your doors."
He said that PDRM and ATM have agreed to be on duty on the first day of Hari Raya and the following days.
During the patrols, the authorities will also check number plates on each vehicle to track down those who travel between states without authorisation
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said PDRM has formed a special task force to identify individuals travelling interstate without police permission, reported Bernama.
"We have issued directives to all state police chiefs to act on it (nationwide monitoring). We have records of those who do have permits for interstate travel and who don't," said the IGP.
Hamid Bador said the task force, which also comprises ATM personnel, will take the enforcement of the interstate travel ban seriously, especially on those travelling for the purpose of celebrating Hari Raya.
Commenting on the issue, the Defence Minister said there has been an increase of Malaysians travelling across states without authorisation as Hari Raya approaches
Of the 250,891 vehicles checked at 149 interstate roadblocks nationwide on Monday, 18 May, 1,633 vehicles tried to travel interstate with the intention to balik kampung.
"I was wrong about my estimation. As we get closer to Hari Raya, more and more individuals are violating the law," said Ismail, adding that those vehicles were then ordered to turn back.
He reminded that the standard operating procedure (SOP) of interstate travel remains the same, whereby those who intend to travel home must get approval from the nearest police station.
