KUANTAN: The Pahang Police will step up monitoring at the state's tourist hotspots following the resumption of operations in the sector.

The state's police chief Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan said apart from Kuantan town, locations such as Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands, Fraser's Hill and Taman Negara were also expected to receive high numbers of visitors.

"We expect the community to adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the National Security Council for tourism activities.

"Police are still carrying out roadblocks 24 hours a day at 12 locations, especially at the state's borders, including in Rompin, Bera, Bentong and Kuantan," he said at a press conference held after the handing over of new assets at the department's logistics complex in Alor Akar here, today.

Meanwhile, when asked about the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) implemented in Pulau Tioman from yesterday (March 16) to March 29, he said local tourists stranded at the location would be managed by the district office and the state government.

"If they have symptoms, they will be taken to a quarantine centre or hospital for monitoring. In addition, we are still tracking down seven individuals to help investigate the cause of the outbreak on the island," said Abd Jalil.

He said 24 individuals in the state had been fined RM10,000 for breaching the SOPs on COVID-19 since March 11, namely 18 in Kuantan and six in Bentong.

Meanwhile, he praised the swift actions of Bukit Tinggi police station chief Sgt Major Maznan Omar who rescued a teenage girl from an attempt to jump off a flyover at KM46 of the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway yesterday.

A video of Maznan rescuing the 16-year-old had also gone viral on social media, receiving plaudits from the public.

Earlier, in his speech, Abd Jalil expressed appreciation to the government over the addition of 40 vehicles for the Pahang contingent, namely 28 Hilux GS Cargo vehicles, eight Kawasaki 1400GTR motorcycles, three Mitsubishi Tritons and a Toyota Hilux.

He also reminded personnel to use the assets carefully and prudently, apart from maintaining the vehicles according to the prescribed schedule to ensure their longevity.



-- BERNAMA