PUTRAJAYA 20 Mar: The government has decided to mobilise the army to help the police in implementing the movement control order (MCO) to ensure people remain at home during the period.

Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the army will be mobilised on Sunday, 22 Mar 2020.

“We’re confident that with help from the army the MCO will be implemented better. And we hope the people will continue to comply with the government’s instructions,” he said, adding that many Malaysians still flout the MCO’s strict requirements to limit people’s mobility.

He also quashed rumours that Putrajaya would announce a state of emergency, saying this was fake news that would only spark panic among the people.

He said the army would be deployed under Section 5 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, which gives the health minister the authority to appoint any government agency to implement the relevant law.

Earlier, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said on 19 Mar that he has full confidence in the police force currently keeping the situation under control.

“However, if we are left with no choice; if the rate of adherence to the MCO is only 60 or 70 per cent, I believe there a possibility (that) the armed forces would be mobilised.

All Military Training Postponed

Meanwhile, Chief of Defence Forces Gen Affendi Buang said the Malaysian Armed Forces would continue to carry out military operations to safeguard the security and sovereignty of the country.

However, he said all training activities would be postponed in light of the MCO.

“I have also directed every service to detail matters involving operations, training and courses, exercises, administration and logistics,” he said in a special message to armed forces personnel today.