KUALA LUMPUR: The National Security Council (MKN) is the only government agency which can issue directives during the Movement Control Order (MCO), said Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He said it was crucial for all parties to abide with MKN directives, including at state level, to ensure all policies and orders during the MCO were in line with the federal government.
Ismail, who is also Defence Minister, said this when asked to comment on decisions by several states to allow non-essential businesses to remain open during the MCO period.
“Actually, the decision to allow or disallow non-essential businesses to operate during the MCO only comes from MKN.
“These are not regular days where local authorities (PBT) can use their discretion to make decisions.
“Now only MKN is allowed to make decisions … I really hope everyone can follow this,” he told a press conference today.
It was reported that workshops in several states were allowed to open between 9am and 1pm during the MCO as they were categorised as essential services.
It was learnt the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) both allowed workshops under their jurisdiction to open between 9am and 2pm, while the Taiping Municipal Council (MPT) allowed these establishments to stay open until 1.00pm.
The MCO came into force on March 18 and has been extended until April 14.
Among others, it covers general prohibition of mass movements and gatherings nationwide, travel bans on Malaysians as well as restrictions on tourists entering the country.
During the period, all government and private premises (except essential services), as well as kindergartens, schools, and universities remain closed.
Meanwhile, Ismail said the government had decided to quarantine 250 Rohingya refugees who illegally landed in Langkawi yesterday.
“As they had reached our soil, they have become our responsibility and we will quarantine them to ensure none of them are carriers of the Covid-19 virus.
“The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), Immigration Department, and Wisma Putra will look into this,” he added.