MELAKA, April 1 (Bernama) — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will constantly monitor and control all entry points and popular public spots following the reopening of the country’s borders starting today to ensure compliance with COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOP).
Bukit Aman Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department (JPJKK) director Datuk Aidi Ismail said that although some SOP had been relaxed, the wearing of face masks was still in force.
“Within two years, our society has matured and learned from the experience of facing this pandemic, therefore the police hope that the public will take care and be responsible for ensuring that the spread of COVID-19 is curbed.
“We will also monitor the places that need to be controlled for activities that are still prohibited such as entertainment centres and so on,” he told reporters here today.
Earlier, he was present to witness the handing over of duty documents from acting state police chief Datuk Razali Abu Samah to Melaka police chief Datuk Zainol Samah at the Melaka contingent police headquarters here today.
Aidi said police were also committed to stepping up monitoring to ensure crime rates continued to decline under the transition to endemic phase by increasing police presence in hotspots and residential areas.
He said the police’s mobile patrol vehicle team and motorcycle patrol unit will conduct more patrols in residential areas, settlements and business areas, among others.
“The programmes involving the Women Peace Police Squad (AMANITA) as well as the Go-To Safety Point (GTSP) initiative, will also be continued, expanded and intensified at petrol stations throughout the state,” he said.
Meanwhile, Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Hazani Ghazali said police will continue to carry out SOP compliance operations nationwide to ensure people continue to adhere to the SOP issued by the National Security Council (MKN) as well as to safeguard their safety and welfare.
“Individuals who are found to have deliberately violated the rules will be subject to actions under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) based on the latest SOP dated April 1, 2022, and the Federal Government Gazette dated March 31, 2022,” he said in a statement today.
Malaysia transitioned into endemic phase today with SOP relaxations such as the reopening of the country’s borders, the permission for business premises to operate according to the operating hours stated in their business licence and the permission to perform prayers in mosques and houses of worship without having to observe the physical distancing rule, among others.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency