GEORGE TOWN: With large crowds and more vehicles on the roads last weekend, Penang police said it will not hesitate to propose that the local government closes down premises or public spaces to ensure crowd control and safety.

       Penang police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain warned the public to be cautious as the fight against Covid-19 is far from over.

       “Penang is under Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan and the standard operating procedures (SOP) are still in place.

       “Over the past two weeks, Penang has been registering four-figure daily Covid-19 cases.

       “We will continue to monitor the situation and take action against those who breach the SOP,” he said at the state police headquarters here yesterday.

       Last weekend, there were more cars on the roads and huge crowds at public beaches, parks and dams.

       Comm Suhaily said the police had been lenient as they understood that the people had been cooped up at home for a long time.

       “We will continue to monitor these places, and the public will be told to go home if we feel these places are overcrowded.”

       On another matter, Comm Shuhaily urged the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and political parties to work closely with the police and State Welfare Department on food distribution.

       “I urge NGOs or political parties to let us know in advance so that we can facilitate the distribution process,” he said.

       Comm Shuhaily was commenting on several video clips that saw huge crowds lining up to receive prawn balls at the Penang Gerakan headquarters in Macalister Road.

       He also thanked the Bukit Aman Integrity and Standard Compliance Department (JIPS) for auditing all their work.