Have good reason if you want to travel beyond 10km, says IGP

Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador says compliance with the movement control order has reached 99%.

KUALA LUMPUR: Those who want to travel more than 10km from their homes during the movement control order (MCO) period must have a good reason to do so, Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador said.

They need to produce evidence, such as their water or electricity bill, should they have an official or important matter to tend to.

However, this does not apply to those who have to make an emergency trip to seek medical treatment, he said.

“For example, if a person wants to seek medical treatment but the clinic or hospital is located about 15 km from his house, he just needs to produce a valid document or doctor’s appointment letter which says he needs to get medical treatment.

“InsyaAllah, the policemen (at roadblocks) will understand as I have given them permission to use their discretion (to allow such a trip),” he told Bernama at Bukit Aman here yesterday.

Hamid said a person sending a sick child or an elderly person to seek medical treatment without having an appointment card would also be allowed to proceed to the hospital but may need to explain the situation to the policemen.

He said he had always reminded police personnel manning roadblocks not to arrest those who were in an emergency situation or in need of medical attention.

Earlier, senior minister (security cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob said policemen may use their discretion to allow people to travel more than 10km to get food or medical supplies, if necessary.

He said it includes inter-state travel even though phase two of the MCO had restricted travel to not more than 10km.

MCO compliance at 99%

Hamid said public compliance with the MCO had reached 99% as the people were now aware of the government’s objectives of implementing it.

“Now the majority of them seem to understand the importance of taking the MCO seriously, and the dangers if they don’t,” he said.

He chided the remaining 1% for being stubborn, describing them as the cause of headache for the security forces.

He said police enforcement had changed to the “harsh mode” by arresting those who disobeyed the order, besides putting up more roadblocks.

“Previously, police implemented the MCO in a soft and advisory mode, but some were stubborn, and felt as if they would not be infected (with COVID-19).

“Now the police are becoming more strict with those who are irresponsible. Those who go out without a valid purpose will be arrested,” he said.

Hamid also said many minors were being detained for flouting the MCO.

“There are (minors) found riding on motorcycles in pairs, clearly in violation of the MCO. This is saddening, and I hope parents can control them,” he said. FMT