Selangor police chief: Expect 'mobile' roadblocks

 

Thousands of police officers will be deployed to operate both “mobile” and ordinary static roadblocks across Selangor.

This comes as 34 subdistricts in the state are set for an enhanced movement control order (MCO) from tomorrow (July 3) until July 16.

Interdistrict and interstate travel are not allowed in both MCO and enhanced MCO areas.

In an interview with Media Selangor this evening, Selangor police chief Arjunaidi Mohamed said some 140 static roadblocks will be set up where border-crossing is rampant.

“At the same time, we will set up mobile roadblocks that will move from one place to another. If we only stay in one spot, people will know (where we are).

“We will continue to move from one place to another, and we will check for those who try to or who have already crossed into areas they are not supposed to,” he said.

Arjunaidi added that 80 percent of the state’s almost 14,000-strong workforce will be mobilised for roadblocks and other Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) enforcement operations.

As usual, interdistrict and interstate travel are only allowed for those who have permission from the relevant ministries.

Police permits can also be obtained for cases of emergency.

Those without the necessary documents could be compounded on top of having to turn back, cautioned Arjunaidi.

“If they have yet to cross the border, we will instruct them to turn back.

“If they have already crossed the border, we will compound them and instruct them to turn back. Because this means they have committed an offence,” he explained.

Individuals can be compounded up to RM10,000 for breaching Covid-19 SOPs.

The state police chief added that police will not be putting up the usual barbed-wire fences surrounding enhanced MCO areas in Selangor because too many localities were involved.

“Even if we asked the US army (for help), there would not be enough people to install all the wires,” he quipped.

Vaccination

The tightened rules come as the government aims to ramp up the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.

In enhanced MCO areas, only one person can leave the house at a time to buy necessities. That person may not travel beyond their district or beyond a 10km radius, whichever is nearer.

Arjunaidi said the police will make exceptions for vaccination appointments.

For example, if several family members are travelling together because their vaccination appointments are on the same day and at the same venue.

Under the enhanced MCO, police are now allowing up to three people to travel in the same vehicle for vaccination and medical appointments.

They will be required to show their vaccination appointments details either through their MySejahtera application, the MySejahtera website, an appointment card or through the SMS notification.

 - Mkini