Today is the first day of Ramadan that adherents have been allowed to attend Friday prayers but Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob will not rule out the possibility that the loosening of restrictions could be retracted if there are many violations of the SOPs.
At his daily press conference today, Ismail said: "It is the first day that adherents in some areas have been allowed to attend Friday prayers.
"We will listen to the reports of Islamic affairs minister (Zulkifli Mohamad) before we make an assessment of how successful it has been.
"Enforcement personnel may be deployed at mosques if the SOP is not complied with during Friday prayers.
"However, if there are many areas that violate (the SOPs) it's not impossible that what has been allowed will be retracted," said Ismail who said that he had yet to receive any reports on the matter.
Ismail, who is also senior minister (security cluster) added that if there are just some isolated violations, the authorities would just advise that particular mosque.
"There are a number of scenarios that could follow," he said. "We will have to see what the reports say."
Ismail also added that just as mosque attendance rules had been loosened, he had discussed with National Unity Minister Halimah Mohamed Sadique the possibility of loosening rules for followers of other religions such as Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism and Sikhism.
He said this matter has been brought for discussion and a decision could be reached early next week.
On another matter, Ismail reminded the public that any individual attempting to travel across states without permission can be sentenced under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).
He said roadblocks have been set up at toll plazas throughout the country to prevent interstate travel.
“Roadblocks have been set up at toll plazas to prevent interstate travel and as I have previously said, the interstate travel which is allowed was only for four days through applications on the Gerak Malaysia application.
“This means that anyone who travels across states without police permission will definitely face action,” he said, adding that police will issue compounds or take these offenders to court. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.