'Many didn't believe police will check' - minister on Raya interstate travel ban

CORONAVIRUS | Police yesterday issued 214 compounds to those attempting interstate travel for the Hari Raya festivities, while 14 more were issued to those found to have already travelled to their hometowns without authorisation.

Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this was on top of 1,243 vehicles nationwide being ordered to turn around after trying to cross state lines to return to their hometowns without prior approval.

“Many did not believe the police would continue to monitor (the interstate ban) during the Raya period. But I have said, those who escaped roadblock...will be detected and this was proven yesterday.

“Some of those compounded were not caught at the roadblocks but were found in their hometowns,” he said during his daily press briefing in Putrajaya today.

Yesterday was the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, however, interstate travel for Raya had been banned in light of Covid-19 pandemic, with house visits limited to just family members residing in the same state and only on the first day of Aidilfitri.

The number of people allowed during house visits is also limited to a maximum of 20 for the entire day, depending on the size of the home and as long as social distancing measures are being adhered to.

Ismail previously warned that police and armed forces personnel will conduct patrols and will investigate homes suspected of breaking the standard operating procedures.

Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador said a special task force had been formed to identify individuals travelling interstate without permission to celebrate Aidilfitri.

Ismail said Selangor once again topped the list of states with the highest number of vehicles caught attempting interstate travel without authorisation.

Yesterday, 685 vehicles in Selangor were caught trying to cross state lines followed by Negeri Sembilan (133) and Pahang (72).

He added a total of 470 individuals were also arrested yesterday for breaking the conditional movement control order (MCO), of which 87 were remanded and 23 granted police bail.

Up to 383 individuals were issued police compounds for violating the MCO.