PUTRAJAYA: The authorities will not budge, but stand its ground and remain firm with those who flout the movement control order (MCO).
Senior Minister (Defence) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pix) said there will be no compromise in the country’s bid to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, despite the nation entering into, what is tentatively said to be the final week of the MCO.
“I have been informed by the police that they will not compromise, not even one bit. Sterner actions will continue to be enforced, so I hope the rakyat will adhere with all the directives given by the government.
“Today is the eighth day of phase two of the MCO (which ends April 14). There are only a few more days before it ends.
“We are not sure yet what will happen after that. So let us all strive to contain the virus and break the chain. Please continue to remain at home,” he told a press conference, here, today.
The government (at the time of this article) has yet to confirm if the current MCO would be further extended.
An announcement is only expected later this week.
However, there have been speculation that the MCO might be extended for another two weeks, or possibly till mid-May.
According to Ismail, since the first day of the MCO on March 18, the total number of individuals arrested for defying the order stood at 6,905, 454 of whom were nabbed on Tuesday.
He said the government was also in the midst of distributing face masks to Malaysians nationwide, claiming that each household would be receiving four pieces.
On the enhanced MCO (EMCO) currently being imposed on Selangor Mansion and Malayan Mansion in Kuala Lumpur, Ismail said 97% of the residents there are non-Malaysians.
As such, he said it was the responsibility of the respective embassies to provide food to those currently under lockdown, and not our government.
“Should they need to order their own food, they can do so by dealing with the EMCO operations centre at the premises. However, they will have to foot their own bill,” he said.
On another note, Ismail said the special Covid-19 relief fund set up by the government has so far managed to collect RM22.66 million.
He added that those who wish to set up their own relief funds can do so, on the condition that they register with the Finance Ministry and provide tax relief to those who donate.
