The social media is exploding with Malaysians asking people to stay home and stop gallivanting during this times of restrictive movement. Since the Movement Control Order was enacted yesterday, many citizens were still seen going about their activities like all is fine and dandy. This prompted Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin to go on live tv again on Monday evening pleading to the rakyat to stay at home and not move around the city or any public spaces unnecessarily, if we are to fight of this disease.

In the effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, many in the legal fraternity are contending that the police should issue summonses on civilians who failed to obey directives under the MCo.

Criminal lawyer Datuk N. Sivananthan said as a deterrence, summonses should be issued for the individuals to appear in court. “One way to ensure quick enforcement is to have the individual summoned appear in court the very next day so they will no longer be a nuisance,” he said.

Sivananthan said this when asked to comment on the behaviour of civilians who are still defying and not taking the movement control order seriously.

So, why are the people blatantly defying the order despite keeping tab on reports of rising cases in the country and the nightmare unfolding in Italy. According to media reports, civilians who were stopped at roadblocks gave some of the most absurd reasons, here are the top excuses.

1. “Just having an outing”- when stopped at a road block, police who took statement received this comment by some of the folks. Which would probably mean they dont understand what MCO means or plain ignorant.
2. “Want to buy food”- this is the most common excuse, when asked they say that food is not available in their area and had no choice but to drive out for food. But why would someone from Klang head to KL for food? No shop in your area?
3. “Delivering items’- if you’re not working for a delivery service then you must be a pusher. That’s the only explanation there is for this excuse, police should just haul this person to jail.
4. Restless at home- this is another common reason. Yes it can be overwhelming, but its only day 1 we have another 13 days to go! Better sort that out man.
5. Didn’t know there was a curfew- this is classic.The whole world and all media channel is talking about this, and some of them didn’t know, so they say. Must have just crawled out a cave.

These people are making things difficult for others, the whole rational behind the governments move is to curb the spread of the Covid 19 disease. With the present situation having the tendency of becoming more critical and serious actions being taken, there is a chance the military being called in. Not only that the period of MCO could be extended if things dont improve. And we would agree that most part of the nation would not want this situation prolong.

People should also know that, according to Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the local Infected Areas) Regulations 2020), any person who breaches the prevention and control of infectious diseases regulations shall be liable to a maximum fine of RM1,000 or jailed for up to six months or both.