Home Minister Pays Tribute To Frontliners As Over 10,000 PDRM Personnel Go Into Quarantine
Hamzah Zainudin said the police force have been working tirelessly for the past 10 months of the pandemic.
By May Vin Ang — 27 Oct 2020, 12:05 PM
Over 10,000 Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) personnel across the country have been placed under quarantine, according to Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin
"The COVID-19 pandemic is becoming more concerning and many frontliners have been exposed to the possibility of being infected by the virus," he said in a statement today, 27 October.
According to Bernama, the Home Minister said out of the large number of affected officers, at least 200 of them have tested positive for the coronavirus and are currently under treatment.
He said the high rate of infection among members of the police is straining the force's manpower and resources at maintaining national peace and security.
Hamzah said police personnel had been the most exposed to COVID-19 since the pandemic began due to the nature of their work
He said that frontliners have always been closest physically to the public - especially in red zones to conduct operations and roadblocks - and many of whose COVID-19 status have yet to be determined.
"Although they wear face masks, the duty of police officers requires them to communicate closely with the people," he said, as quoted by Harian Metro.
"Social distancing is not easy to practise perfectly when they are carrying out their duties."
He added that there were members of the police more at risk as they have been tasked to assist immigration authorities at the country's borders to prevent the entry of illegal immigrants.
The Home Minister called on Malaysians to heed the advice of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and appreciate the sacrifices of frontliners in this fight against the pandemic
"We are running out of time and now is not right for politicking or lobbying for support for certain individuals to become the Prime Minister," Hamzah said.
According to The Star, Hamzah paid tribute to the police force who have been working tirelessly and have not taken off days or leave in the past 10 months.
"Many of them have not rested or had the time to spend with their families," he said, adding that the PDRM should be given the public's utmost appreciation for battling the pandemic without regard of their own fatigue.
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