Failure to contain Covid-19 not an option, says Armed Forces chief

PETALING JAYA: Failure to contain the Covid-19 spread is not an option, says Armed Forces chief Jen Tan Sri Affendi Buang.

Speaking on the Selamat Pagi Malaysia (Good Morning Malaysia) show on Monday (March 23), Jen Affendi said that the actions being taken to contain the spread were for the good of all Malaysians.

“Failure is not an option. We don’t want to see our loved ones and friends suffer. If we don’t take part we will face heavy consequences.

“Please work with us to ensure the steps to stop the spread is taken and performed successfully,” he said.

He also said that there was were no need for the Armed Forces to use their heavier assets such as tanks to enforce the movement control order (MCO).

However, drones will be used to assist soon.

“The Malaysian people are not our enemy. They are not aggressive targets so we have to match what we use with the mission at hand,” he said.

On the KD Mahawangsa crewmate who was placed as a patient under investigation, he said that stringent checks were being performed in and out of bases to prevent the spread.

In a separate press statement, Jen Affendi said that while 90% of the public are complying with the MCO, the 10% of non-compliant citizens remains a cause for concern.

“This makes up around three million people, and is a very large number.

“The Armed Forces are also in agreement that the enforcement of the MCO be focused more at high risk areas such as markets where shoppers are still not practising social distancing,” he said in a statement on Monday.

The statement also said that 7,500 Armed Forces personnel have been deployed to assist the police.

“Personnel from three branches have been placed at 405 roadblocks and as well at 272 locations where patrols by MPV (Mobile Patrol Vehicle) will be performed nationwide,” he said.

Source: TheStar