TAWAU POLICE MOBILISE 22 SOP COMPLIANCE TEAMS

14 JAN 2021

TAWAU: Tawau police, together with other security forces, have established 22 monitoring teams to ensure public compliance with the standard operating procedure (SOP) of the Movement Control Order (MCO) set by the National Security Council (MKN).

Tawau district police chief ACP Peter Umbuas said that individuals or groups found violating the SOP would be detained and taken to a police station to be issued a compound of RM1,000.

“Within 24 hours of the implementation of this MCO, a total of 85 individuals were detected to have violated the SOP but only a warning was given because we understand that on the first and second day (of this MCO) the public still is not fully aware of prescribed SOP.

“However after this, stern action will be taken against errant individuals who disobey the MCO, in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19,” he said when met at his office here, today.

Peter also said that the district Disaster Operations Control Centre (PKOB) also mobilised an integrated monitoring team, consisting of members of various agencies such as the Tawau Municipal Council, for the assignment of complex issues including involving houses of worship.

Apart from that, he said that nine roadblocks were mounted during the MCO period which was enforced from yesterday, and within the first 24-hour period, 66 vehicles were ordered to turn back because they were found to be on the road without a plausible reason.

“Some were detained late at night and gave excuses of going out to buy goods when the shop only operated until 8 pm,” he said.

Meanwhile, Peter said that the police also gave flexibility to people wanting to return to their respective districts, and they are allowed to do so until Friday.

Families on inter-district travel are allowed to travel in one vehicle, subject to the capacity of the vehicle, he said. -Bernama