MCO clamps ATM hours

PETALING JAYA: Since some Malaysians keep giving the excuse of having to go out to withdraw cash, automated teller machines will now operate from 8am to 8pm during the movement control order (MCO).

“The police have reported that as some ATMs operate for 24 hours, some people come out at midnight saying that they have emergencies and have to withdraw cash.

“The National Security Council (NSC) has decided that all ATMs will only operate between 8am and 8pm daily, ” said Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob during his daily briefing in Putrajaya yesterday.

At present, there are ATMs in certain areas which operate for 24 hours although most function only until midnight.

The NSC, said the Defence Minister, would also be drawing up a list of SOP on food delivery during the fasting month under the MCO.

This, he added, was to cater to some deliveries for the pre-dawn meals (sahur) by Muslims who would be fasting. Currently, deliveries by registered riders can only be made from 8am to 8pm.

Ismail Sabri said as much as he welcomed community volunteers wanting to uphold the MCO by stopping trespassers into their housing areas, they should work with the police.

“Get the police involved so that unwanted incidents do not take place and they must not assume the powers of the police, ” he added.

On another matter, the registration of births and deaths will now be allowed to be delayed for up to 90 days from the date the MCO ends.

Currently, these registrations have to be made at the nearest branch of the National Registration Department within 60 days. Failure to do so results in a late penalty.

Ismail Sabri said the Home Ministry had also decided that those who needed to replace their lost MyKads could do so by getting an appointment with their respective NRD branch.

“The Home Ministry has decided to extend the period for the registration of births and deaths – which cannot be made during the MCO period – to 90 days, calculated from the date the MCO is lifted.

“For Malaysians residing in other countries, the period of 90 days must be calculated from the date the MCO or lockdown ends in that particular country.

“Penalties for late registration will not be applied in such cases, ” he said. - Star