GEORGE TOWN – Based on police observation, the movement control order (MCO) did not bring changes to traffic congestion in the island.
Penang police chief Datuk Sahabudin Abd Manan said the number of vehicles on the road is still high.
“During monitoring, police found that there wasn’t a great reduction in the number of vehicles, especially during rush hours. This may be due to economic activity being allowed, unlike during the MCO last year.
“However, in the afternoon, traffic is less compared with the same period on normal days.”
Heavy traffic was seen yesterday entering the Penang Bridge from Seberang Jaya, as well as on the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway towards George Town and the Penang Bridge, which resulted in a jam stretching several kilometres.
Some motorists claimed it took them two hours to reach the bridge from Seberang Jaya.
Sahabudin said in contrast, there were less people at markets, adding that all customers followed the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
He advised Penangites “to stay at home, unless they have something urgent to attend to outside to stop the spread of Covid-19”.
He said there are 44 roadblocks in the state, adding that more will be set up if needed.
He also said 2,690 officers and policemen have been recruited to join SOP compliance teams and task forces, as well as to guard quarantine centres.
“Throughout this MCO period, the police will be assisted by the Malaysian Armed Forces, People’s Volunteer Corps, Penang Island City Council and Seberang Prai City Council.”
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had on Monday announced the re-imposition of the MCO in the Federal Territories (Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan), Penang, Johor, Melaka, Selangor and Sabah from yesterday to January 26 to contain the spread of Covid-19. – Bernama, January 14, 2021
