KL, Selangor has high SOP compliance

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KUALA LUMPUR – The level of public compliance with the standard operating procedure (SOP) of the Movement Control Order (MCO) has reached 96 per cent in all six districts in the federal capital.

Kuala Lumpur Police chief Datuk Saiful Azly said, from Jan 13 until yesterday, only 1,496 compound fines had been issued for various offences.

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“A total of 48,440 inter-state travel applications were received and 2,050 applications were rejected due to weak reasons,” he told Bernama today.

Meanwhile, Selangor Police acting chief Datuk Arjunaidi Mohamed when contacted said the state had reached 93 per cent compliance.

“During the period, a total of 136,059 inter-district and inter-state applications were received and a total of 129,214 applications were approved,” he said.

Dang Wangi Police chief ACP Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said about 200 compound fines were issued for inter-state travel attempts without valid reasons.

Not from police

Johor police in a related development has said that it will monitor all areas in the state to ensure that everyone complies with the standard operating procedure (SOP) throughout the duration of the Movement Control Order (MCO).

Johor Police chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay also denied a viral post circulating in Whatsapp groups in the state claiming that police and the Malaysian Armed Forces would focus on village and rural areas, which are said to have low levels of compliance of the SOP.

“The post circulating on Whatsapp is not from the police… it was from certain groups, but what we want to stress is that we are not merely focusing on certain areas but on all areas.

“Two days ago we expanded our monitoring team from 240 to 500 personnel to ensure SOP compliance in the state,” he said today when commenting on the viral post claiming that authorities would change their patrolling trends to focus on villages and residential areas.

The change is supposedly due to the non-compliance of the SOP, which has resulted in a rise in COVID-19 cases in the areas. The post also warned that compounds would be issued to those who do not wear face masks and those who gathered around in village areas.

Ayob Khan also asked the public to provide information regarding SOP non-compliance in the state.

“In Kota Tinggi, the public channelled information that there were 15 foreigners wearing white wristbands while our shopping for necessities in the district. This led to the police rushing to the scene and taking appropriate action. That’s why we need the public’s help to share information with us,” he added.

Increased surveillance

Labuan police meanwhile are intensifying surveillance and checks along the shoreline and jetties downtown in efforts to curb illegal entry into the island.

Labuan acting police chief, DSP Mohd Ibrahim Mohd Ghani said at least 12 monitoring teams had been tasked with the round-the-clock checks, including on the docking vessels not only during this COVID-19 pandemic but all the time.

He said the move was also to ensure that the people would fully comply with the standard operating procedure throughout the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.

“We are doing our best not to issue compounds, as the monitoring exercise through police presence will help get people to adhere to the ruling,” he said.

Mohd Ibrahim disclosed that at least 89 compounds have been issued so far for various offences since the MCO was reinstated on Jan 13.

Among the offences recorded were illegal entry into the island to evade COVID-19 tests and quarantine, having no permit for inter-state travel and failure to register with the MySejahtera app for COVID-19 contact tracing upon entering food premises.

“Other offences were hanging out and jogging at the beach, not practising physical distancing and not wearing a face mask while being in public places,” he said.

On continuation of the interstate travel ban from Labuan to other states including Sabah, he said sufficient police personnel would be deployed at the three entry points of two ferry terminal jetties and Labuan Airport.

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