PUTRAJAYA – There will be 800 roadblocks mounted nationwide once the “total lockdown” to contain Covid-19 is enforced on June 1, up from the 600 currently, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
He said 70,000 members of the police force and agencies under the ministry will be on duty to ensure compliance with the standard operating procedures.
Of the total, he said, 55,000 are cops, increased from the 37,000 presently entrusted with the duty.
The rest of the personnel are from the Immigration Department, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and People’s Volunteer Corps, among others.
“If the number is found to be insufficient, we will add more personnel,” Hamzah told reporters after chairing a ministry-level meeting on the lockdown here today.
Present were Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, Immigration Director-General Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud and MMEA chief Admiral (Maritime) Datuk Mohd Zubil Mat Som.
The Prime Minister’s Office yesterday announced that a Phase 1 lockdown affecting social and economic sectors will be in effect for two weeks starting June 1.
Hamzah said the SOP compliance monitoring team will conduct inspections in collaboration with the relevant ministries and government agencies to ensure the rules are observed.
“Inspections will also be conducted in rural areas, as well as locations where people tend to gather.”
He said the team’s size will be increased to almost 20,000 from the current 13,795.
On Op Benteng, he said MMEA and marine police will be mobilised to tighten border controls.
“The Immigration Department, together with the National Registration Department and police, will enhance enforcement in an integrated manner.” – Bernama, May 29, 2021
.jpg)
