KUALA LUMPUR – The Royal Malaysia Police will tighten screenings at roadblocks across the country in an effort to prevent the re-emergence of interstate cluster infection of Covid-19.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said this follows perceptions and claims that policemen assigned to man roadblocks have taken their tasks quite lightly.
He said all police commissioners and state police chiefs have been directed to tighten roadblocks in their states.
“I will not rule out the possibility that people will attempt to return to the east coast states or make interstate trips to Perak and Penang tomorrow. I will ensure that even top-level officers from the state police contingents and also Bukit Aman will be involved in monitoring the roadblock operations.
“I don’t want PDRM to be blamed and I don’t want to see the emergence of interstate clusters again,” he said at a special media conference in Bukit Aman here today.
On Tuesday, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that the government has given the green light for tourist travel between states under the recovery movement control order through the targeted travel bubble programme, starting March 10.
Calling it irresponsible, Hamid said there had been complaints that police personnel manning roadblocks were only sitting inside their tents and waving drivers through without screening vehicles.
He said roadblock assignments were conducted in shifts, an arrangement made in a clear directive to all police personnel.
“We must have more people to man the roadblocks at peak hours to ensure smooth traffic flow. There is also a rotation system for prayer times,” he said.
Hamid said stern action would be taken against police commissioners and state police chiefs who took roadblock assignments lightly.
He also said that politicians must be more responsible and not politicise things for their own benefit.
He urged them to abide by the stipulated regulations while carrying out political activities, especially as the pandemic is far from over. – Bernama, March 11, 2021
