Cops will conduct house checks during Raya

IPOH: Police will conduct spot checks during Hari Raya at homes seen with many parked cars, says Bukit Aman.

Internal Security and Public Order director Comm Datuk Seri Abdul Rahim Jaafar said police would ask for interstate travel approval from the occupants.

“We are getting ready for Hari Raya. House-to-house checks will be conducted,” he said after attending the book launch of Vat 69 Komando: Lahad Datu in Ulu Kinta yesterday.

On Tuesday, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah said Bukit Aman had tightened approval for interstate travel due to the increase in Covid19 cases.

Journeys planned from Friday to Sunday will not be approved except for emergencies, deaths and married couples living apart.

“It is our hope that the public will understand that the action we are taking is due to the increasing Covid-19 cases,” Comm Abdul Rahim said.

He said many who travelled interstate between Friday and Sunday had abused the approval process.

“They used other reasons to travel when they were actually returning for gatherings and kenduri.

“We are not discouraging people from going back to their hometown, but cases are currently spiking with over 2,000 reported daily,” he said, adding that the police would not hesitate to close Ramadan bazaars if needed.

Comm Abdul Rahim also said although it was “interesting” to visit the bazaar, many did not follow the SOP.

Separately, he said at least four new battalions would be created in Sabah and Sarawak.

He said the Vat 69 Komando: Lahad Datu book provided a rare insight from those who took part in Ops Daulat in Lahad Datu in 2013.

Ops Daulat was carried out in February that year to counter the intrusion of terrorists from the Philippines to Lahad Datu, Sabah.