SOP confusion: Miti sends memo to cops - on Twitter

 

With the start of another round of interdistrict travel ban today, some employees who are authorised to travel for work have complained that the police and the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) were out of sync on the standard operating procedures (SOPs).

This came after some workers who showed their Miti authorisation letters to cops at roadblocks were told they need to get them stamped by police, despite Miti saying no stamping was necessary.

Miti's announcement was made on May 7 but with some cops not getting the memo, the ministry decided to send one to the men in blue - publicly on Twitter.

"@PDRMsia @PDRMsia_Trafik please be informed. Miti's letter for work does not need to be stamped," it said.

The tweet was in response to a Twitter user who complained about her experience with cops while going to work.

The permission letter is issued by Miti to employers who are then required to provide them to their employees.

"Today, police said the letter from my company needed a police stamp," said the Twitter user.

Miti thanked the user for bringing the matter to its attention before proceeding to tag the police on Twitter.

Another Twitter user, amused at the response, suggested that Miti should inform the police directly.

At this, Miti responded to say they had already done so.

"We have also informed directly," it said.

The interstate travel ban was reimposed effective today amid a resurgence of Covid-19 cases.

However, some exemptions are allowed, including travelling across districts for work if the business is approved by Miti to operate.

Meanwhile, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, a former cabinet minister, said the government agencies should have discussed MCO rules together thoroughly.

"How can you resolve matters concerning the rules if Miti and the police have to communicate through Twitter?

"Is this a joke or is the government insensitive to the plight of the people? Are MCO protocols a matter of casual chit-chat on Twitter? This has gone overboard," wrote Syed Saddiq on Twitter. - Mkini