KUALA LUMPUR – The police would mount at least 300 roadblocks nationwide tonight as the first day of the movement control order (MCO) comes into effect in six states on January 13.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said this excluded the 56 ongoing roadblocks that were set up under Ops Benteng.
He added most of the roadblocks would be set up outside toll booths of highways and federal roads that link between states.
“In places under the conditional movement control order (CMCO) where inter-district travel is disallowed, roadblocks would be set up by the respective district police chiefs,” he told a press conference this evening.
“In Sabah, there are no inter-district travels allowed and in Sarawak, travel is barred in Kuching, Sibu and Miri.”
He said the locations for the roadblocks were still being discussed to ensure their effectiveness to ensure there were no breaches of the standard operating procedures.
Hamid said he expects the number of roadblocks to increase daily.
However, he said policemen have been instructed to use their “budi bicara” or full discretion in enforcement for the first few days of the MCO.
He said policemen across the country were told to allow people to return to their homes if they were away in other states, cities, or towns unhindered during the initial days of the MCO.
Hamid also reminded the public that they can make appeals with police if they felt they unfairly received compounds during the MCO.
“This would apply at least until Friday (January 15).”
Earlier today, Hamid told Berita Harian that the enforcement system would operate normally, but stern action would be taken against errant parties who violated SOPs.
“PDRM’s enforcement is like the first MCO. No difference. Only that enforcement will be stricter and more organised.”
In a press release issued earlier, Petaling Jaya district police chief ACP Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal listed seven roadblocks that would be mounted along major arteries in the area.
The roadblocks in Petaling Jaya are:
1. Jalan 4/56, Gasing Indah, Petaling Jaya,
2. Jalan Persiaran Mahogani, Kota Damansara
3. Jalan Persiaran Jati, Kota Damansara
4. Jalan Persiaran Sungai Buloh, Kota Damansara
5. PJU 8/1 Traffic Light, Damansara Perdana
6. LDP exit to Mutiara Damansara and Damansara Perdana
7. Entrance to Damansara Toll to Bayu Putri near PKR Headquarters, Damansara.
“Therefore, the public is advised to continue to stay at home and comply with the MCO so that the chain of Covid-19 can be broken.
"The police in Petaling Jaya hopes all road users, especially the Petaling Jaya community will be patient and steadfast in combating the Covid-19 outbreak.” – The Vibes, January 12, 2021
