KUALA LUMPUR – Police personnel nationwide will have their leave frozen as part of preparations for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration next month, said Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador.
“We will monitor movement similar to what was implemented during the movement control order (MCO) last year, even though there is no MCO directive issued this time around,” the inspector-general of police told a press conference at Bukit Aman here today.
“Like last year, a total of 46,000 police personnel have been assigned, and another 12,000 are on standby.”
He said roadblock operations at toll plazas will be stepped up to prevent interstate travel.
“Over the past few days, the number of those who tested positive for Covid-19 has been high.
“It is not impossible that it will double if we are careless. Police personnel who are on standby during Aidilfitri will be mobilised, together with others on duty, if the situation gets out of control.
“If the situation becomes critical, the 12,000 police on standby will be deployed, in addition to the armed forces, People’s Volunteer Corps and Civil Defence Force if the situation requires.”
On road users’ criticism of roadblocks as causing traffic congestion, he said such comments are irresponsible.
“Let there be no more criticism against me and police over traffic congestion. Police have been criticised as deliberately causing congestion.
“I am sad that the matter was raised in our meeting. Why did police set up roadblocks in Putrajaya? What has Putrajaya got to do with the roadblocks mounted there?”
He said the public should understand that roadblocks are mounted based on the instructions of the National Security Council as a way to prevent the spread of Covid-19. – Bernama, April 28, 2021
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