PUTRAJAYA, April 15 — The authorities arrested 612 people yesterday for defying the ongoing movement control order (MCO), with 337 having since been charged in court, said Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said of the 612 people, 590 were remanded while 15 were subsequently released by the police.

"As of yesterday, the number of MCO violators arrested stands at 9,720 people,” Ismail said during his daily press conference.

The police set up 799 roadblocks nationwide yesterday and checked 545,182 vehicles.

The minister added that 59,690 spot checks were conducted nationwide

"The authorities also examined 6,907 premises yesterday to see if the MCO was being adhered to. 

"As mentioned before, the government will no longer compromise with MCO violators. Stern action will be taken against them, so I hope the public will cooperate on this,” Ismail said.

Similarly, public sanitation works under the Housing and Local Government Ministry, which commenced on March 30, have since seen 1,871 operations in 99 zones nationwide, including in 26 red zones.

"The locations and premises sanitised include 1,302 government buildings, 732 public places, 816 business centres and 148 supermarkets.

"As of yesterday, 170 sanitation operations were conducted and covering 75 zones in 13 states, including 34 areas in Johor, and 22 in Pahang where 99 government buildings, 62 public areas, 80 business centres and nine supermarkets were sanitised,” he said.

Yesterday also saw an additional Covid-19 quarantine centre added to the existing list, bringing the total number of centres to 177.

"A total of 14,536 individuals are undergoing the compulsory quarantine process. Approximately 157 expatriates returned from abroad yesterday and have since been quarantined,” Ismail said.

Separately, the minister was informed by several members of the press that they were told by the police at roadblocks that their official company letters authorising them to move about as part of their work were not valid.

"Most of the press usually do not face such problems. But we will discuss the matter with the police and resolve it,” Ismail said.