Author: Thamin Abdul

PETALING JAYA: Faced with the deadly Covid-19 virus, the government implemented the movement control order (MCO) as a lesser measure to contain the pandemic.

The MCO was favoured to a full lockdown as the latter might cause deep inconvenience to the people.

While the move, as a preliminary measure to counter the spread of the disease, was welcomed by the majority, it is not the case with a segment of obstinate Malaysians who are not adhering to the MCO and are going about their daily lives as usual, totally unperturbed by the pandemic.

Members of the police force are at their wits end.

Since the MCO came into force on Wednesday, it has been a gruelling task for personnel nationwide who are “chasing” those who continue to treat the order lightly. These selfish and stubborn individuals are taking to the outdoors without any concern for their own safety, that of their families and others who come in contact with them.

Should they become infected with the feared virus from their careless behaviour, these irresponsible individuals are a threat to the health of other Malaysians including those who abide by the MCO.

Law-abiding Malaysians viewed with utter disgust several videos which went viral since yesterday, showing a number of people who are turning the MCO into an outdoor leisure-seeking break.

One video taken in Johor Baru showed more than 50 adults and children passing their time at a playground in a residential area, playing basketball or idling away.

A police car arrives at the scene with its sirens blaring and beacons switched on but the crowd does not budge.

When a personnel makes an announcement with a hailer urging the people to return indoors in accordance with the MCO, it falls on deaf ears.

It was not until an exasperated policeman steps out of the patrol car and walks towards the people does the crowd decide to disperse.

Another video showed a group of men who were playing checkers in the open at an unnamed location in Selangor being advised to head indoors by police.

In Alor Star, police cars arrived at a house to advise its dwellers to call off a large kenduri they were holding.

Dozens of other videos of people enjoying meals, gathering, loitering and setting up food stalls, all outdoors, are making the rounds.

With the reckless behaviour of such Malaysians, perhaps it is time they face the full brunt of the law.

Laws of the Penal Code and Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 should be invoked and police be given consent by the higher-ups to arrest and prosecute those who fail to adhere to the MCO.

This will not simply serve as a lesson to those who flout the law but also a deterrent to the rest.

This should be done at the soonest to further counter the pandemic and in honour of the sacrifices our frontliners who put their lives on the line – the hundreds of medical personnel caring for over 900 infected patients battling the disease and the thousands of police personnel upholding the MCO.

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/video-time-for-tough-action-against-those-flouting-mco-MD2151817

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