Don't be shocked if handcuffs used - IGP cautions MCO dodgers

CORONAVIRUS | Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador warned that those who fail to observe the movement control order (MCO) risk spending several nights in the lock-up.

"Those who think they are immune from the virus by hanging out in public or just want to show they are gangsters, don't be surprised if the police use handcuffs and bring you to the lock-up.

"Don't get upset when you have to spend three to four nights in the lock-up," he said on RTM's Selamat Pagi Malaysia talk show this morning.

He said that so far, the police have apprehended 107 people for disobeying the order since it took effect on March 18.

However, Abdul Hamid noted that the compliance rate among the public in general is at 92 percent, while the crime rate has reduced by 70 percent nationwide.

Stubborn tabligh members

On the effort to track down tabligh members who participated in a gathering at the Sri Petaling Mosque in Kuala Lumpur last month, he said the police's task force assisted by the Ministry of Health (MOH) identified the number of overall participants to be at 10,000.

"The statistics of those who attended the gathering is unclear. Some said it was 14,000 while others said 16,000.

"But based on the cooperation between the task force and MOH, we have identified them with their full identities, to be 10,000 members.

"We interviewed them and asked them to recall anyone who had joined the gathering so we can trace them all," he added.

Abdul Hamid reminded the public to abstain from labelling the tabligh members as the majority of them have given full cooperation.

"More than 95 percent have stepped forward, only five percent have yet to come out," he added.

However, the police chief said some tabligh members who are under quarantine have failed to observe social distancing measures.

"There are cases of tabligh members in the quarantine centre still performing prayers in a group (sembahyang jemaah).

"We have persuaded them that although they are under quarantine, they must observe social distancing," he added.

'Don't share identities of Covid-19 patients'

Abdul Hamid also urged the public to avoid committing cybercrimes including exposing the identities of Covid-19 patients.

"This is wrong... it will create fear among the public.

"If the patients have recovered and have been discharged from hospital, their neighbours will isolate them.

"If the public knows anyone suspected of carrying Covid-19, they can just report to the police who will come and escort the suspects to the hospital for screening," he added.

As for other cybercrimes related to Covid-19, Abdul Hamid said police have opened 370 investigation papers involving the losses of close to RM3 million.

'Stay at home, don't rush'

In preparing for the possibility of vehicles returning to the city in droves after the order ends on March 31, Abdul Hamid said 18,000 reserve personnel are on standby.

"We have made preparations and are only awaiting the decision by the MOH on whether the order will end or be extended.

"We are ready and we have army personnel to back us up," he added.

Abdul Hamid advised city dwellers who returned to their hometowns during the initial stage of the order to continue to remain put. 

"Stay in your hometown. Don't rush and expose your family to the risk of Covid-19," he said.

Keep up with the latest information on the outbreak in the country with Malaysiakini's free Covid-19 tracker.

Communities should step up to help domestic violence survivors during MCO

Penang to restrict essential business operating hours from tomorrow

Armed Forces chief: The virus is the enemy, not people

Entry ban in place but cop says Sabahans from Sulawesi did 'nothing wrong'