The country is currently placed under a Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), scheduled to be in place until the 9th of June. Although rules have been relaxed, that does not mean we can just go back to our normal lives as before.
For example, any activities garnering a crowd of more than 10 individuals are not allowed, and crucially for the upcoming Hari Raya festivities, interstate travel is still prohibited unless with the right authorisation – Sorry, but you can’t balik kampung for Hari Raya this year.
To help enforce the interstate travel ban, the Selangor police announced that it will begin scanning the registration number plates of cars parked outside homes and residential areas. The police will cross-check the license plates with their database to determine if they have received the permits to do so, The Star reports.
Selangor Police Chief Comm Datuk Noor Azam Jamaludin said, “If we discover that there are those who flouted the ban on interstate travel, we will detain the vehicle owner, which is usually the head of family.
“Action will be taken under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and Police Act 1967,” he added, stating that the time for “playing nice” with warnings and advice was over.
The announcement comes after Inspector General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador announced yesterday that a special task force – consisting of the police and army – has been formed to track down unauthorised interstate travellers in residential areas and villages during the Aidilfitri festivities.
In addition to checking license plates, Selangor police are also conducting roadblocks at strategic entry and exit points surrounding the state – drivers without the necessary authorisation will be asked to turn back.
Comm Noor Azam added: “Honour the sacrifices of the frontliners who braved the sun and storm in the fight against the virus by complying with the regulations of the conditional MCO, especially the ban on balik kampung interstate travel for Hari Raya.
“I hope the public give their full cooperation with the authorities as the fight [against COVID-19] is not over yet.”
