Govt mulls deployment of army

PUTRAJAYA: The government may be forced to mobilise the army if the public continues to disregard the two-week movement control order (MCO).

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said during the first day of the order on Wednesday, only about 60% of Malaysians conformed, a figure he said was relatively poor.

“We discussed it in our meeting earlier, and decided that if the situation is still not under control, then we will most likely have to use the army.

“At the moment, I believe there is no need for such measures. But if the compliance rate among the public remain at 60% or 70%, then we have no choice,” he told a press conference yesterday.

The senior minister was speaking after attending a special ministers meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office on the implementation of the MCO.

However, Ismail said he was confident more would comply with the MCO and that the police would be able to control the situation.

According to Ismail, the decision to set up police roadblocks nationwide only came after many Malaysians ignored the MCO announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“(On Wednesday) alone, 504 roadblocks were set up and 6,135 vehicles were stopped to be checked.

“But as of now, the police are only taking a soft approach by advising the public to stay at home.

“I think if this still doesn’t work, then the cops will be forced to take stricter action,” he said.

On the 300,000 Malaysians who are employed in Singapore, Ismail said following discussions with its counterpart, the government has agreed to allow these individuals to continue working in the republic, provided their employers there provide accommodation for them.

He added that all ministries have also been ordered to set up hotlines during the 14-day period.