Malaysians who are returning home to major cities in the country from their respective hometowns will not be allowed entry, said Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
According to Ismail, police have set up roadblocks at 23 toll plazas along interstate highways nationwide to restrict the public from coming back to places of work or to their homes in the cities.
“The trend we see today is that the people who went back to their hometowns are now starting to return.
“I hope this doesn’t happen. As we have advised, stay in your hometowns.
“Police manning the roadblocks leading into the cities will instruct motorists to return to their respective hometowns,” Ismail said at a press conference, which was broadcast live on Facebook.
Ismail said there is an increase in the number of people complying with the MCO, numbers were up by 3% from 92% to 95%.
He said that as of yesterday, police had set up 1,029 roadblocks, inspecting almost 164,000 vehicles and conducting another 2,500 spot checks throughout the nation.
Ismail said that police might also change tactics from giving advice to taking legal action against anyone obstructing civil servants or failing to comply with instructions or advice issued by the police.
Since the order was implemented on March 18, Ismail said 695 police reports have been made, 46 investigation papers have been opened and 28 people have been arrested for not complying with the MCO.
“I urge to all, don’t let it escalate until police take legal action because what the government is currently doing is to safeguard the safety of ourselves and our families,” he said.