Army may be deployed if public don't comply with order - Ismail Sabri
CORONAVIRUS | The military may be roped in if Malaysians still refuse to comply with the movement control order to combat Covid-19, said Defence Minister Ismail Sabri
He said as of yesterday, the compliance rate was only at 60 percent.
"If we are left without a choice, if the compliance rate remains at 60 percent or 70 percent, I believe there is a big possibility that the army will be deployed," he told a press conference which was streamed live on Facebook...
CORONAVIRUS | The military may be roped in if Malaysians still refuse to comply with the movement control order to combat Covid-19, said Defence Minister Ismail Sabri
He said as of yesterday, the compliance rate was only at 60 percent.
"If we are left without a choice, if the compliance rate remains at 60 percent or 70 percent, I believe there is a big possibility that the army will be deployed," he told a press conference which was streamed live on Facebook.
For now, Ismail said he believes in the police's capability to improve the compliance rate and if things improve, then the army need not be deployed.
Under the movement control order, all non-essential businesses have been ordered to close while Malaysians are barred from leaving the country and foreigners prevented from entering.
Malaysians have also been urged to stay home and only go out if there is a necessity, such as to replenish food supply.
Ismail (below) said, for now, the police have been instructed by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to "advice" people who do not comply.
However, he said this may soon change.
"For the first two to three days, as instructed by the prime minister, it will merely be to give advice.
"But I believe the police will change their strategy from giving advice to tougher action if the people still do not comply," he said.
Under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Disease (Measures Within infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020, gazetted for enforcement of the movement control order, violations can result up to RM1,000 fine or up to six months imprisonment or both.
As of noon yesterday, Malaysia had 790 cases of Covid-19.
Track the Covid-19 outbreak in Malaysia here.
