Police approval needed to enter CMCO areas

PUTRAJAYA: Travel to areas placed under the conditional movement control order (MCO), including journeys by “weekend husband and wives” whose spouses live in conditional MCO aresa, should only be done if necessary with police permission, says Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

But travel from enhanced MCO areas is strictly not allowed, unless in cases of emergency or death.

Authorities on Monday recorded 310 cases of vehicles forced to turn back for violating SOP and drivers making unacceptable excuses.

“Some were caught trying to get out of areas under enhanced MCO.

“Some tried to cross areas under conditional MCO without obtaining police approval.

“I have said several times that if travelling to areas under conditional MCO is truly necessary, one must get police clearance.

“Without it, they will be stopped at roadblocks and authorities can take action against them, including forcing the travellers to turn back,” he said in his daily briefing.

“For married couples who live apart, police permission is needed before making the weekly trip home and they show authorities proof.

“This is the same SOP in place when we enforced nationwide conditional MCO in May. Husbands and wives can do cross-state travel with police approval,” he said.

On another matter, three more areas – two in Selangor and one in Sarawak – have been placed under enhanced MCO due to a spike in cases in these localities.

In Selangor, the affected areas are Flat Sungai Emas at Jalan Sungai Emas 1 and Jalan Sungai Emas 2 in Kuala Langat, involving 1,300 residents, and Plaza Hentian Kajang in Hulu Langat with 7,500 residents.

In Sarawak, the enhanced MCO will be enforced in Kampung Haji Baki, Kuching, affecting 4,191 residents. The order will take effect from today until Nov 10 for all areas.

Ismail Sabri said existing SOP for enhanced MCO would be enforced, including prohibiting residents from going out of the areas, closing schools, places of worship and economic activities with food supply to be distributed to the residents.

On the Batu Sapi by-election, the minister explained that neither the government nor the Election Commission (EC) had the authority to postpone the election as the Federal Constitution stipulates that a seat must be filled within 60 days.

“We understand the concerns of voters. We were told that even election staff are apprehensive. There is no choice but to proceed,” he said.

He said the EC would present sometime this week its proposed SOP for the by-election, which should include how to minimise contact among voters during polling.

The polling date for the Batu Sapi by-election is Dec 5 while nomination day is on Nov 23.

The EC already set conditions for the campaign period, including not allowing walkabouts and ceramah.