No more fines, MCO violators will be arrested and charged in court

PETALING JAYA: Movement control order (MCO) violators will now be arrested instead of being issued a compound notice, says Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Ismail, who is Defence Minister, said that this was because a section of Malaysians were still not adhering to the MCO.

"The third phase of the MCO will begin on Wednesday (April 15). I believe the public wants the police to be stricter in enforcing it.

"We see that some do not seem to fear the rules we have now.

"Maybe RM1,000 is not high enough to scare potential MCO violators.

"So, from tomorrow, police will arrest those who violate the MCO and charge them in court instead of issuing compound notices.

"Let the courts decide (on the punishment)," he said, adding that under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, offenders who were found guilty can be jailed.

Ismail said this at a press conference after the National Security Council meeting in Putrajaya today.

According to him, 931 compound notices were issued to MCO violators on Monday.