CORONAVIRUS | Police detained 554 people for breaching the movement control order (MCO) yesterday compared to 368 the day before, according to Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
"If previously I said I felt proud that the percentage of arrests had decreased, yesterday there was a sudden increase.
"I was informed by the police that many people took the opportunity to go out on a Sunday," he told a press conference in Putrajaya this afternoon.
Ismail, who is the senior minister in charge of the security cluster, said the arrests took place at 773 roadblocks nationwide.
The authorities, he stressed, were taking sterner action against the violators due to the rise in Covid-19 positive cases in Malaysia.
"The tougher checks by the police were due to the health director-general's announcement that there was an increase in positive Covid-19 cases," he added.
The minister reiterated his call for the public to cooperate with the authorities and to remain at home during the MCO.
Of the 554 arrested, Ismail said 489 were remanded, 65 released on bail and 213 charged.
Overall, he revealed that a total of 293,051 vehicles and 4,822 premises were checked yesterday.
Since the MCO was implemented on March 18, Ismail said 6,048 individuals have been arrested for breaching the order.
As of noon yesterday, Malaysia recorded 3,662 positive Covid-19 infections and 61 deaths. On a positive note, 1,055 patients have recovered.
Earlier today, Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa hinted that the MCO, which has dealt a devastating blow to the nation's economy, could be extended beyond April 14.
On Saturday, it was reported that the Health Ministry would furnish the relevant data to the government to decide if another extension is warranted. - Mkini
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