By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, March 22: Army personnel from the 10th Regiment Ranger has begun assisting the police in roadblocks and monitoring the Movement Control Order (MCO) in state capital.
Less vehicles were seen at Jalan Abell, and upon questioning, drivers said they were on their way home after buying “take away” meals or medicine.
A number of food delivery motorcycles such as Grab Food and Food Panda were also seen roaming the streets but they were given the green lights by authorities to proceed because they are under the essential service category.
However, over at Samarahan Expressway, many vehicles were heading towards Kuching, some bringing their family with children, indicating that residents were still defying the order to stay at home and that only one person can go out to buy essential items.
Police and army personnel had to warn these irresponsible people to turn back home and abide the MCO or else action will be taken against them as stipulated by the law.
Any individuals who violated instructions during MCO may be fined up to RM1,000 or face imprisonment up six months or both, upon conviction.
Meanwhile, when met at Samarahan Expressway roadblock, Kuching Police District chief, ACP Awang Din Awang Gani, said there are eight roadblocks on going simultaneously under his district involving 134 police officers and 146 army personnel.
“The eight areas are random, depending on each police station and which suitable spots or roads. Our police multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) are also on the move together with army personnel to patrol housing areas. They will use their vehicle loudspeaker to spread the message to everyone to stay at home.
“My advise, if you love your life, love your family, then please stay at home as per the order. No point for you to go out, and then you bring the virus back home.
“If you need to go out to buy essential items such as food, groceries, medicine, then make sure only one person goes out, not two or three or the whole family. We can’t see this Covid-19 virus. If we can see, perhaps we can avoid it, but we can’t,” Awang Din said.
He explained that the purpose of Ops Covid-19 was to spread awareness and to educate the community on the importance of MCO, minimising movement, social distancing, face masks and hand sanitisers, as well as maintaining personal hygiene.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has issued a nationwide Movement Control Order which commenced on March 18 until March 31 to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Malaysia. — DayakDaily
