KUALA LUMPUR: Military personnel were seen at police roadblocks in some areas in the city centre today.
A survey by the New Straits Times this morning in the Ampang area showed there were some military personnel with the police.
Malaysians were expecting to see a significant presence of the army on the road today as per an announcement by the government about how the military would assist police in enforcing the Movement Control Order (MCO).
Though city folk did not see military personnel all areas in Kuala Lumpur, there were one or two roadblocks which had these men in army fatigue joining the men in blue.
At one roadblock in the Ampang there were at least four military officers present along with several police officers.
Each passing vehicle was stopped by the police and asked to explain the reason they were out of their house.
Another police officer at a second checkpoint said that the army officers had been with his team since morning.
“Don’t worry too much about these roadblocks. The army is here to help. Some of them clocked in early and some will clock in later in the afternoon,” he said.
Another police officer stationed near KLCC said that military personnel began their duties in the area at about 2pm.
“There are six locations (for roadblocks in KL). In Jalan Pahang, Jalan Loke Yew, Jalan Raja Muda Aziz, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Ipoh.
“The army joined us at 2pm and I believe they will continue working until late at night,” the police officer said.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri had previously announced that the armed forces will be deployed beginning today to assist the police in monitoring the situation in the country during the MCO until March 31.