A policeman stops a car as a member of the armed forces looks on at the roadblock at Jalan Tun Amar Zaidi Adruce near Satok, Kuching.
KUCHING: As the nation is going through its fifth day of Movement Control Order (MCO), most Kuching city folks remain obedient to the order as only less than a handful of vehicles were seen on the road.
Today also marks the beginning of the Malaysia Armed Forces involvement in the MCO enforcement as they are joining the police in manning roadblocks at strategic locations around the city centre beginning at 4pm.
Two of the roadblocks at Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg near the Old Courthouse and Jalan Tun Amar Zaidi Adruce near Satok.
At Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, five policemen and three members of the armed forces with one carrying an M4 assault rifle manned the roadblock.
Several cars going through were checked and drivers were reminded of the MCO before being let go.
The city centre remained quiet since morning with only essential businesses like minimarts and eateries offering takeaways open.
A policeman and a member of the armed forces armed with an M4 assault rifle manning the roadblock near the Old Courthouse, Kuching.
One of the policemen manning the roadblock said the roadblock is not intended to arrest anybody nor to totally keep people off the road, but to remind road users of the MCO and ensure they abide by the order.
He also reminded drivers that only one person is allowed to run errands or buy essentials outside, wear face masks at all times, and to head straight home after doing their errands.
Those having to work in essential services and those who are seeking treatment at medical facilities will be allowed to pass with no restriction, he added.
Another policeman said one of the excuses they often told by drivers was buying food.
“Other than that, there have been no untoward incidents so far. All in all, people’s compliance to the MCO is improving by the day.
“However we still have to take action against drivers flouting traffic regulations like expired road tax or license, but there aren’t many of them on the road compared to normal days as many are observing the MCO,” he said.
Each team or around seven men consisting of members from the armed forces and the police will man the roadblocks around the clock on eight-hour shifts.