PUTRAJAYA: The government is intensifying enforcement with a national crackdown on non-compliance of standard operating procedure by errant parties whose disregard for the law is among reasons why the number of Covid-19 cases is not lowering much.

       The exercise, codenamed Ops Patuh, involves various enforcement agencies and the mobilisation of assets.

       Announcing the massive crackdown, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said Ops Patuh would focus on SOP compliance by factories and businesses operating during the current nationwide lockdown.

       “We will also check premises for wrongful use of the approval letter to operate issued by the relevant ministries and agencies.

       “Mobile roadblocks will also be mounted at Covid-19 hotspots nationwide such as in industrial and manufacturing areas.

       “We will, through Ops Patuh, utilise all the manpower and assets we have to make sure that no SOP violators will go undetected,” he said after chairing the first enforcement and SOP compliance coordinating committee meeting.

       On June 21, the National Security Council (NSC) special meeting decided that the Home Ministry would lead and coordinate all aspects of enforcement of SOP compliance during the current nationwide lockdown.

       The committee, among others, comprises the NSC, Health Ministry, Finance Ministry, Armed Forces, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, International Trade and Industry Ministry, Local Government Department, Civil Defence Force and Road Transport Department.

       Hamzah said to ensure quick enforcement action on the ground, the Civil Defence Force would act as the rapid response team at locations identified by the Hotspot Identification for Dynamic Engagement (HIDE) system.

       “If we used to do spot checks after receiving complaints on non-compliance of SOP, this time, we will use our assets to do mapping and list down areas where the Civil Defence Force will go and inspect,” he added.