PBT's right to close recreational areas found in violation of SOP - Ismail Sabri

PUTRAJAYA, May 29  -- Local government authorities (PBT) have the right to close  recreational areas and public parks found to have breached the standard operating procedures (SOP) during enforcement of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) , said Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said the SOP issued by the National Security Council (MKN) clearly outlined that group activities are prohibited during CMCO.

“The power to close recreational areas and public parks, like Tasik Titiwangsa is that of the PBT. So, I leave to the PBT concerned, if it is in Kuala Lumpur, the PBT is the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), to decide,” he told a daily media conference on the CMCO today.

Yesterday, DBKL, through its Facebook posting, stated that the Taman Tasik Titiwangsa here, is closed to the public from yesterday until a date to be announced later to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Ismail Sabri said the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) arrested 114 individuals for defying the CMCO yesterday.

Of the total, 86 of them are in remand and 28 others were given bail, he said, adding that compound was issued on 433 individuals for defying the CMCO, but none for offences involving Aidilfitri visit.

On the decision to allow interstate travel for married couples who are staying apart due to work commitment, Ismail Sabri said it would be made before the expiry of the current CMCO on June 9.

“We understand their situation and have been receiving their applications for interstate travel almost everyday.

“Insya Allah, we will look into it and if we think it can be allowed, we will announce it,” he added.

On interstate travel for students who are called for interviews by institution of higher learning (IPT), Ismail Sabri said it is not allowed yet as the interviews could be conducted online.

Meanwhile, he said the process of sending home IPT students who are stranded at their respective campuses was still ongoing with 287 of them returning to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, on a flight from Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

“Today, 1,193 students are scheduled to be sent home,’ he said, adding that the Higher Education Ministry had made sure that the students underwent screening for COVID-19 before they are allowed to return home.

-- BERNAMA