KOTA BHARU – The Kelantan government has allocated almost RM3 million through the Pakej Bantuan Khas Berkala to help those whose livelihoods are affected by the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO).
Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob said it involved basic food assistance and cash incentives for petty traders and hawkers.
“For basic food assistance, we have allocated RM1.8 million or RM40,000 for each State Legislative Assembly (DUN) constituency for the affected people through 45 of their service centres.
“As for cash incentives, RM1.125 million or RM25,000 is allocated to small traders and hawkers who are eligible for each DUN through its service centres,” he said in a statement here today.
He said the state government was very concerned over the welfare of the people affected by the MCO and constantly monitored the development and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the state.
Ahmad said the State Security Special Committee (JKKN) had taken various efforts and proactive measures in an integrated manner to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
Proposal being drafted
The Attorney-General’s Chambers in a related development, is currently drafting a proposal to increase the value of the compound for those who violate the standard operating procedures (SOP) of the Movement Control Order (MCO), says Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He said the matter would be announced in the near future if approved.
“It is understood that the draft proposal to increase the value of the compound is being prepared for anyone found guilty.
“After being approved, it will be announced by the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department as the matter involves the Emergency Ordinance. So we are waiting for that,” he said during a press conference at Wisma Pertahanan here today.
He has also requested that the public report anyone violating the standard operating procedure (SOP) enforced under the Movement Control Order (MCO).
He said such reports would enable the police to take action to help contain the spread of COVID-19.
“Alert the police if you come across any SOP violation. Police have a website and the like for people to report such cases; or you can go to the police station to report,” he told a press conference on MCO developments at Wisma Pertahanan here today.
Banned activities
Ismail Sabri was asked to comment on allegations that some individuals had updated their social media accounts with reports of mass gatherings supposedly involving their close family members although such activities are banned under the MCO.
He said even individuals and non-governmental organisations involved in humanitarian missions have to follow the SOP although the government welcomed them to distribute aid.
This is not only to protect the community and the groups receiving the aid but also to safeguard the interests and safety of those conducting the aid missions, he added.
“So, if police reports (of breach in SOP) have been lodged, we leave it to the police to take action,” he added.
On Jan 30, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid stated that the value of the compound for violating the SOP of the MCO should be increased following the sharp rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
According to Abdul Hamid, thousands of summonses are being issued by the police each week to MCO offenders, mostly for failing to observe physical distancing.
In a related development, he said the police had arrested another 680 individuals for violating the MCO.
“Of the total, 630 individuals have been compounded, 49 individuals remanded, and one released on bail,” he said.
On Op Benteng operation being held nationwide, Ismail Sabri said 16 illegal immigrants and two skippers had been detained, with six vehicles seized.
“During the operation, 103 boats/ships were also detected in the country’s waters through four sighting activities,” he said.
