BY Jaythaleela K
MIRI, Mar 21: Countless excuses were given by motorists in Miri during roadblock operations following the Movement Control Order (MCO).
Today, the MCO had entered its fourth day, and despite the order announced early this week by the government to curb the spread of Covid-19, motorists in this resort city seemed determined to travel into the city centre as they gave ‘safe’ excuses to the enforcement officers manning the roadblocks.
The Pujut 4 roadblock which was put in place since 8.30am saw dozens of vehicles coming from Permyjaya and Lutong being diverted back to their previous locations as police worked to prevent people from travelling from different areas of the city and risking exposure to Covid-19. Unfortunately, the lineup of vehicles kept growing.
“We have multiple times told them that they are not allowed to enter the city centre because of the MCO, they seem to take no notice of what we have told them,” said Miri deputy police chief Supt Mohd Sabri Zainol.
Among the most common reasons given were going to the supermarket to buy groceries; needing to go to the bank, or going to pay essential bills.
“A majority of the motorists have a don’t-care attitude,” he said, commenting that most of the motorists were just using excuses to get through the roadblocks.
Ignorance and selfishness were making things more complicated, commented Sabri.
Besides Pujut 4, two other roadblocks were set up today at Batu Niah and Bekenu.
On Sunday, the army personnel will help the police in implementing the MCO.
Following the increase of Covid-19 in tbe country, the Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the MCO until March 31 to curb the spread of the virus. —DayakDaily
