SIBU, April 19: Police here revealed the situation is under control at Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) Sibu after the premises was swamped by a large crowd yesterday following fears the public had only three days starting April 18 to redeem their Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) vouchers.
The fake news was widely circulated on social media and had prompted a panicked public response at the outlet along Jalan Kampung Nyabor yesterday.
Sibu OCPD Asst Comm Stanley Jonathan Ringgit who was at the scene today revealed it was estimated that about 200 people were unable to enter the bank premises yesterday, due to congestion and as the bank was only able to serve 300 recipients since yesterday was a Saturday.
He observed the number of people assembling at the premises today was less after information had been publicly disseminated that the so-called news was untrue and that recipients had until December 31 this year to redeem the vouchers.
“The most important thing is to control the situation. There are about 500 people here now but the bank can only serve up to 300 people. We have told the others to come back the next day,” he revealed.
Eight personnel including police, People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) and bank security personnel were at the scene to maintain public order. — DayakDaily
