Wong (fourth right) handing over the face masks to Hazani (third left) while Phang (far left), Gracelina (third right), Johnny (far right) and others look on.
KOTA KINABALU: The police have issued more than 1,300 compounds in Sabah for non-compliance of the standard operating procedures (SOP) from June 1 to 14 during the Movement Control Order 3.0 (MCO 3.0).
State Police Commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali said failure to wear face masks topped the list of offences.
He urged the public to comply with the SOP as we were now fighting against an unseen enemy, namely Covid-19.
Hazani said that to the media after receiving 24,000 face masks donated by Persatuan Ahli-Ahli Bersekutu dan Kehormat Jabatan Sukarelawan (Rela) Malaysia Negeri Sabah, led by its president Dato’ Sri Wong Chong Fah at the Sabah police headquarters in Kepayan on Friday.
He said some 4,700 police personnel statewide were deployed to work at the frontlines in the fight against Covid-19.
He said the police had set up 169 roadblocks and checkpoints at localities under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) in Sabah, and 64 ordinary roadblocks.
He said the police had not encountered major problems when enforcing the SOP, though there was an increase in the number of compounds issued.
“From June 1 to 14, the police have issued more than 1,300 compounds to individuals who flouted the SOP, majority of whom failed to wear face masks,” he said.
On another note, Hazani expressed his appreciation for the contribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to the police force.
He said the donation by Persatuan Ahli-Ahli Bersekutu dan Kehormat Jabatan Sukarelawan (Rela) Malaysia Negeri Sabah was a great moral booster for the police force to serve and work harder at the frontline.
Aside from face masks, he said the police also required gloves as they often have to inspect documents at roadblocks.
Meanwhile, Wong said the police have been working tirelessly to enforce SOP amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We hope that the face masks donated by our association will help keep the police officers and personnel safe when carrying out their duties.”
Also present were Persatuan Ahli-Ahli Bersekutu dan Kehormat Jabatan Sukarelawan Malaysia Negeri Sabah vice president Phang Jyn Yenn, treasurer Gracelina Oscar and committee member Johnny Wong.