With the latest extension of the Movement Control Order (MCO) to April 28, Malaysians should by now realise how crucial it is to break the COVID-19 transmission chain.
However, it is both sad and frustrating to note that there are still some thickheaded individuals out there who continue to flout the order and act as if they are unaware that an MCO has been enforced nationwide.
According to police statistics, a total of 14,922 individuals were detained for violating the MCO during the first two phases from March 18 to April 14.
Yesterday, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Huzir Mohamed told a press conference that 3,627 people were detained during the first phase and 11,295 in the second phase. He said police also identified six individuals who repeatedly flouted the MCO.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob pointed out that a higher number of people were being detained now because the authorities were no longer letting MCO violators go with a reprimand or slap on the wrist.
Starting April 8, MCO violators were slapped with a RM1,000 compound. However, beginning yesterday – the start of the third phase of the MCO – violators are set to face more stringent action. They will no longer be issued a compound but instead will be arrested and charged in court.
In fact, to ease congestion in prisons and resolve issues related to social distancing, 13 prison academies will be gazetted as detention centres to house MCO violators.
Why is it so difficult for a section of Malaysians to obey an order that the government has been forced to enforce for the well-being of the people and the nation?
In fact, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador himself has lambasted the attitude of people who do not heed the MCO. Not only do they refuse to stay at home, but they are also rude to the men in blue when detained.
Such insolent behaviour is totally uncalled for because the policemen and soldiers are carrying out their duty. They are not restricting the public’s movements for the fun of it or to inconvenience the people.
They have to be on duty in spite of the inclement weather. And, during a heavy downpour and strong winds, their tent or umbrella gets blown away, leaving them drenched in the rain.
An incident of a policeman who was injured after a tent fell on him at a roadblock in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, went viral on social media recently.
The police have also confirmed that 66 policemen nationwide were tested positive for COVID-19 as of April 7. They are currently undergoing treatment at various hospitals. Another 1,225 police personnel are being quarantined at their homes.
Despite the risks they face, our enforcement frontliners remain doggedly determined to serve the nation and ensure public compliance with the MCO.
With COVID-19 affecting nearly two million people and causing more than 100,000 deaths worldwide (in Malaysia, the number of new cases reported daily was in the three-digit range over the past one month), one would expect people to take the necessary precautions to stay safe.
But that’s not the case with certain people who foolishly think they would be spared. These are the people Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah is concerned about. At his media briefing on April 8, he said some MCO violators had told the police that there were on their way to visit some relatives. How can anyone visit relatives at a time like this? Do they want to see an exponential rise in COVID-19 case numbers as experienced by certain nations?
A friend of this writer who is a fishmonger at the Selangor Wholesale Market lamented that many customers do not wear a mask when they are inside the market.
“Only those wearing a mask are allowed into the market. But once inside, many of them take it off saying that it is uncomfortable. I’ve also seen mothers coming to the market with their children even though they know very well that only one person can go out to buy necessities,” she said.
Recently, Dr Noor Hisham posted a picture on his official Facebook account which showed the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur superimposed with images of the COVID-19 virus. His caption for the picture was: “If you can see the Covid-19 virus in its actual form and spreading like this, would you leave home?” They won’t for sure but the reality is that these microorganisms cannot be seen by the naked eye.
Lt Cdr (retired) Dr Abu Yazid Abu Bakar, who is a senior lecturer in Guidance and Counselling/Psychology at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, describes these recalcitrant Malaysians as narcissists who think they are always right.
“Then, we also have the antisocial types who find it hard to conform to social regulations. From the psychological aspect, people usually find it difficult to change their ways because it takes time for old habits to change,” he said.
Now that the MCO has entered the crucial third phase, the authorities are taking more stringent action to ensure compliance.
One cannot just leave it to the government, healthcare personnel and security forces to curb the pandemic as the public has a vital role to play too.
Be informed that the third phase of the MCO is a very critical one for Malaysia in determining whether it has succeeded in its efforts to break the chain of transmission of the deadly virus.
Comply with the order and stay at home. Wash your hands frequently and practice social distancing.
-sourced from Bernama
