Ismail warns of tightening conditional MCO if non-compliance persists

Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob warned today that the government could move to reinforce stricter movement control orders if non-compliance with the current conditional status persists.

"I would like to warn that this conditional MCO might not stay as a conditional MCO because maybe, it can be tightened again.

"This is dependent on compliance by the rakyat who are now enjoying some freedom," said the senior minister in charge of the security cluster during the daily National Security Council Covid-19 update press conference in Putrajaya.

In issuing the warning, Ismail noted that yesterday he was alerted of viral news about a large crowd at several stalls in Kampung Pandan and had requested Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador to check on the situation.

"I thought it was fake news so I contacted the IGP to request for him to check.

"Turns out it is real news and not fake," he added.

Ismail further said the advisory phase of the conditional MCO has ended today and individuals caught breaching any standard operating procedures are liable to be fined or charged in court.

Overall, Ismail said the conditional MCO compliance task force led by the Royal Malaysia Police had carried out 53,250 inspections yesterday, including at 4,229 supermarkets, 3,795 restaurants, 1,473 factories and 2,833 banks.

Nationwide, he said there are 3,178 multi-agency teams deployed, comprising 17,150 personnel.

Malaysians have been under a movement control order since March 18 which restricts movement and businesses, except for essential services.

Certain sectors of the economy have since then been gradually opened under the conditional MCO, now extended from today until June 9.

Enhanced MCO in Selayang Baru extended for second time

PM: Conditional MCO extended until June 9

Over 43pct returned to work under conditional MCO

MP SPEAKS | No excuse to lockdown Parliament