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KUALA LUMPUR – Members of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) have the authority to detain offenders of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) under the Emergency Ordinance, but emphasis is given to duties under Ops Benteng, said Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He said until now, the duties of MAF have been per usual, including assisting the police in ensuring that members of the public comply with the SOPs during the movement control order (MCO).
“MAF is still only assisting the police in Ops Benteng, because the authority to arrest illegal immigrants is limited.
“During this emergency, MAF has been given the same power as the police with focus on Ops Benteng at the country’s borders, especially in rat trails, to reduce the influx of illegal immigrants to the country,” he said in a press conference on the MCO development here.
Ismail said that before the Emergency Ordinance came into force, the authority of MAF was very limited in curbing the entry of illegal immigrants under Ops Benteng, because it has no authority to detain them.
Earlier, Bernama reported that MAF officers and personnel are now vested with the power to detain and take action against those found violating the MCO.
The matter lies under the implementation of the Emergency Ordinance, in which the jurisdiction of the military and the police is the same and this will facilitate the better management of the pandemic.
In another development, he said police arrested a total of 590 individuals for violating the MCO yesterday.
“Of the total, 553 of them were compounded, another 35 remanded, and two granted bail yesterday. Regarding Ops Benteng, a total of eight illegal immigrants were detained while 12 land vehicles were seized,” he said.
Meanwhile, commenting on whether food delivery riders working for private restaurants or eateries will be allowed to pass through roadblocks, Ismail answered in the affirmative.
“However, food business operators need to inform the police and issue a letter confirming them as employers of the riders involved. Private food delivery riders can also obtain approval from the police,” he said.
Regarding the request to extend the operation of the restaurants to 10pm, Ismail Sabri said the matter is still under discussion and scrutiny from various aspects.
“The government is aware and concerned about the people’s grievances and those working who do not have time to buy food to take home during the current operation hours,” he said.
Asked about the proposal to tighten the SOPs as the Covid-19 cases are still at worrying levels after seven days under the MCO, Ismail said the matter will be evaluated and decided on based on advice from the Health Ministry before the MCO ends next Tuesday.
In the meantime, he said the government has informed employers to ensure all their foreign workers, especially those employed at factories and construction sites, undergo Covid-19 screenings and comply with the stipulated SOPs for worker accommodations. – Bernama, January 19, 2021
