Police to continue SOP enforcement despite new mask rules: KL chief

KUALA LUMPUR – Despite mask mandates for open-air spaces being lifted beginning this Sunday, police will continue to monitor standard operating procedure (SOP) compliance, especially the use of face masks in indoor spaces.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Azmi Abu Kassim confirmed his men will continue patrolling places of convergence even with the new rules coming into effect.

However, he explained that police would look to advise the public on SOP compliance before issuing summons or offering compounds.

“Times have changed and the force has also become more people-centric, so we prefer to first advise the public.

“But if people go against our advice, they will leave us with no other choice,” he quipped.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin yesterday announced the lifting of mask mandates for open-air public spaces nationwide, with the use of face masks strongly encouraged but not mandatory.

Khairy had stressed that mask mandates will remain for indoor spaces.

Separately, Dang Wangi police chief Noor Dellhan Yahaya confirmed that three individuals who attended a candlelight vigil for deceased Nagenthran Dharmalingam would be called in to record their statements.

He confirmed two individuals have been called today, with lawyer Yohendra Nadarajan summoned to the district headquarters on May 8.

Dellhan said the gathering is being investigated under Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 for failing to notify authorities of the event at least 10 days prior.

“We will first see what can be gathered from the statements of these three individuals before deciding if others need to be called in,” he said.

Yesterday, Malaysian Bar Human Rights Committee co-chair New Sin Yew had through a tweet claimed he was being investigated by police over his participation during the vigil.

I am being investigated by @PolisDirajaMsia over Malaysian Bar’s Candlelight vigil ?for Nagaenthran in front of the Singapore High Commission @MFAsgConsular last night (26/4). I have been asked to provide my statement at IPD Dang Wangi next week. @yoester83 have been called too. pic.twitter.com/ONfVYel4FR

— Sin Yew (@S_Y_New) April 27, 2022

Later, Yohendra took to Twitter to confirm he too had been summoned by police. – The Vibes, April 28, 2022

Both @S_Y_New and I as Co chairs of @hrc_bar have been summoned by @PDRMsia in relation to the Malaysian Bar candlelight vigil last night to protest the execution of Nagaenthran Dharmalingam. @malaysianbar

Abolish the Death Penalty!
Without Fear or Favour! pic.twitter.com/iim1WX9ZEP

— yohendra nadarajan (@yoester83) April 27, 2022