Dip in travel bids after stricter enforcement

Stricter enforcement has led to fewer people attempting unauthorised interstate travel on Friday.

In his daily press briefing at Putrajaya yesterday, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said 1,613 vehicles were turned back at police checkpoints, compared to 2,539 on Thursday, or a drop of almost 1,000 vehicles.

He said this came as police conducted 216,594 inspections on vehicles at 157 roadblocks nationwide to prevent unauthorised travel during the conditional movement control order (MCO).

Ismail Sabri said Selangor recorded the highest number of unauthorised travel attempts with 329 cases, followed by Kedah (211) and Penang (196).

He also said 287 illegal immigrants and 28 boat operators were detained by the Immigration Department for trying to sneak into the country, while another 29 illegals and three boatmen were turned away as they attempted to enter the country.

Ismail Sabri said enforcement authorities would tighten surveillance of national borders, particularly at hotspots to prevent illegal entry as a means to curb the rise in Covid-19.

“We are worried illegals from neighbouring countries may attempt to enter the country after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays as factories will start operating again after the festivities,” he said.

On a separate matter, Ismail Sabri said the repatriation of university students, which was halted until May 28, would resume two days earlier.

“I received a lot of messages from parents and students expressing their sadness when I announced the repatriation process would only resume on May 28.

“Many appealed saying they will miss the Hari Raya celebrations with their families if they return home by then.

“So, we have decided to resume the repatriation process on May 26, which is on the third day of Hari Raya,” he said, adding that a total of 1,480 students would be flown to Sabah and Sarawak on May 26 to be with their families.

He said those repatriated would be screened to ensure they were free of Covid-19 before being allowed to go home.

According to Ismail Sabri, some 50,000 university students had been repatriated so far, with about 7,000 awaiting their turn.

We are worried illegals from neighbouring countries may attempt to enter the country after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays.

Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob