Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, Johor police chief

       When the Covid-19 pandemic started last year and the government decided to implement the movement control order, it was hard for me to imagine how we were going to impose a total lockdown.

       The last time we had imposed such restrictions was during the Emergency in 1969, but that was a different era which I had not experienced.

       Therefore, it was difficult to imagine how we could prevent people from crossing between districts and states, and manage the massive volume of vehicles. Besides traffic congestion, all sorts of other issues also came to mind.

       But after a meeting with the National Security Council which involved the police, military, Health Ministry and several other government agencies, we managed to come up with a mechanism that would make all this possible.

       Of course, there were hiccups in the beginning but eventually, we managed to implement the lockdown effectively.

       We, the police, are the leading agency for enforcement. Our job includes controlling public movement via roadblocks and ensuring compliance with standard operating procedures among the public.

       It is certainly not an easy task as we have been accused of practising double standards. When we go hard on offenders, the public will complain. When we take a softer approach and the number of cases go up, the public will still complain. Basically, we are their punching bag.

       I would like to stress that the police never practise double standards. We will issue a compound if an offence occurs in front of us but if it involves an offence which has gone viral, an investigation must be carried out first.

       What’s more frustrating is the fact that some people are willing to go to the extent of harming my men. There have been cases where police officers were knocked by motorcyclists and car drivers who refused to stop at roadblocks.

       Their reasoning was that they were stressed because we didn’t allow them to go wherever they want. Some of them were drunk.

       The public should know that every action taken by the police is based on the laws and SOP set by the government.

       My men man the roadblocks for eight hours a day. Once their shift is over, it does not mean that they can go home and rest as they have many other responsibilities too.

       Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay (left) at one of the Ops Bantu recipients house, Maimunah Abdul Ghani, 75, (right) in Jalan Kebun Teh, Johor Baru.

       The officers manning the roadblocks are in fact our investigators, administrative and narcotic officers. So, there are still investigation papers to work on and statements to gather afterwards.

       That is why I say that the tasks we carry out during the pandemic are additions to our essential duties that cannot be ignored, and that is why the officers involved are working under extreme stress.

       Besides manning the roadblocks and conducting SOP compliance patrols, we also have to monitor the 516km-long Johor water borders to deter encroachment by smugglers and illegal immigrants who may be Covid-19 carriers.

       There are also groups that plan to cause chaos or hold protests and demonstrations, which need to be monitored too.

       In the current situation, assembly is prohibited as it violates the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, so we will not hesitate to take action against the stubborn ones.

       In our efforts to help curb the spread of Covid-19, sometimes we are exposed to the virus too.

       I have had to do more than 20 swab tests after coming in close contact with those who are infected with Covid-19.

       But sometimes these tests fail to detect the virus and unfortunately, our families are the ones who pay the price.

       So far, four of my men’s family members have died after being infected with the virus they brought home.

       I have requested that the authorities prioritise the family members of police officers too given the risk they face.

       Accordingly, action has been taken by Johor Health Department director Datuk Dr Aman Rabu to ensure that this happens.

       The pandemic has affected everyone differently. Some people are desperate enough to break the law.

       It’s utterly heartbreaking to see someone resort to stealing food because they are desperate to eat. Most of the time, it is not even expensive food – they take basic food items such as bread and onions.

       In such cases, we will advise the parties involved to resolve the matter amicably.

       There are also cases where my men will pay the money owed to the supermarket for the stolen items.

       At the police station, we will give the offenders some money so that they have enough to survive while waiting for others to lend assistance.

       When I was first transferred to Johor, I told my welfare officer that I would like to visit police retirees and their widows. They may not have monetary issues, but our visits would cheer them up.

       I recently met a police retiree who was suffering from cancer. His wife also had cancer and their child was disabled. A few months after my visit, he passed away.

       That is why I try to visit as many police retirees as possible when I have the chance.

       Covid-19 has also taken away someone dear to me – my mentor. He had guided me when I first became a police officer, and the pain of losing him is indescribable.

       I have also gone to the ground with other agencies to hand out food baskets to those in need.

       Among the people I have met is a single mother in Johor Baru who is raising four young children. How can she provide for her family?

       We gave her a small contribution and I instructed my station head to make sure that information about the mother reached our welfare department so that she could get the help she needed.

       During another visit, an elderly woman was excited to see me. She told me in Mandarin that she had never been visited by a police chief before.

       For me, what is important now is for all Malaysians, no matter who they are, to abide by the SOP. If we simply do whatever we feel like doing and play the blame game, then the matter will not end.

       Each of us has our own responsibilities. If we all do our job, we will win this fight together.