Fourteen back in hometowns without permission compounded – Ismail Sabri

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Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob – Bernama file photo

PUTRAJAYA: A total of 14 compound notices were issued by the special task force on Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) compliance yesterday on individuals who were found to be at their hometowns without permission after sneaking across state borders.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said action against them showed that the authorities were serious in enforcing their duties on non-compliance.

“There are some who did not believe police warnings about checks during Hari Raya, but the police have been doing their job. We will keep looking for those who crossed state lines through rat trails.

“This was proven yesterday when 14 compound notices were issued on those who were back at their hometowns without permission. So, when I announced that this was a serious matter, there were some who still took it lightly,” he said in the daily media briefing on the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) here today.

On roadblocks mounted at 162 locations nationwide, Ismail Sabri said many were still stubborn and tried their luck to cross state borders yesterday, with 1,243 vehicles asked to turn back compared to 1,158 vehicles the day before.

Ismail Sabri said so far, the government is sticking to its decision to ban inter-state travel.

“The decision (inter-state travel ban) remains, but a decision based on current developments will be made at the next special ministerial meeting,” he said.

Ismail Sabri also said that the maximum four family members in a car ruling will continue, adding that they had been no violations of the ruling yesterday.

“Even if there are such cases, the police can still use their discretion and decide whether to issue compound notices or otherwise,” he said.

“If a car is found to be carrying more than four people and the fifth passenger is an infant, I am sure the police will use their discretion. Yes, it is a violation, but the police will only act based on the situation,” he said.

“But it also depends on the vehicle capacity, for example, if it is a multipurpose vehicle (MPV) then it can carry six persons,” he said.

In another development, Ismail Sabri said Malaysians abroad who intend to return home can download the ‘Aku Janji’ pledge letter and the Indemnity Letter of Undertaking (LOU) from the Foreign Ministry and National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) websites from today.

“Each applicant will have to email the document, along with the LOU, to their Malaysian diplomatic representative at least three days before the date of departure,” he said.

He said the Health Ministry; Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, Transport Ministry and the Immigration Department will also upload the LOU on their respective websites.

Ismail Sabri said the LOU is in line with the government’s decision to impose a 50 percent charge of the quarantine costs, which amounts to RM75 per day, for those who return after June 1.

“This way, the government will also be able to ensure there are sufficient quarantine centres.

As of 8 am today, 270 quarantine centres were operating, one less than yesterday, with 13,997 individuals placed there for their 14-day mandatory quarantine process.

Since April 3, Ismail Sabri said 40,716 Malaysians who returned from abroad have been quarantined, with 33,092 of them having completed the process and allowed to go home. – Bernama