KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 — Stern action will be taken against those who obstruct civil servants from carrying out their duties, under Section 186 of the Penal Code, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today.

In a press conference in Putrajaya which was broadcast live, Ismail said that the civil servants involved are not just limited to police personnel, but all others who are linked in the battle to flatten the Covid-19 curve.

"I want to state that under Section 186 of the Penal Code, it is a maximum jail term of two years or RM10,000 fine, or both,” he said.

"Today, in the meeting, it was decided that strict actions would be taken on them, that is under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing the duties of a civil servant,” he added, referring to issues in quarantine centres but without detailing the problems.

Earlier, state news agency Bernama reported police confirming to have received a report lodged against some residents at the Selangor Mansion, for allegedly throwing items such as bottles, garbage bags and flower pots at Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) personnel installing concertina wires in the area.

Health workers are seen disinfecting themselves after screening Selangor Mansion residents for Covid-19 in Kuala Lumpur April 11, 2020. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

The report quoted Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Seri Mazlan Lazim said the report was lodged by the complainant after being informed of the incident by the personnel involved.

He, however, stressed that the police did not receive any report regarding foreigners throwing urine-filled bags at MAF personnel, as reported in local Malay-language daily, Sinar Harian.

Selangor Mansion and Malayan Mansion are under the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) and involves 6,000 residents in 365 residential and commercial units.

Prior to Selangor Mansion and Malayan Mansion being listed as EMCO areas, three other areas were placed under EMCO after a high number of Covid-19 positive cases were detected.

The other three locations are several villages in Simpang Renggam (Kluang, Johor), Hulu Langat and Menara City One on Jalan Munshi Abdullah.