Police and military personnel will be stationed at supermarkets to monitor the people in ensuring they comply with the Movement Control Order.

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this was because he had received numerous reports of people overcrowding at supermarkets to buy daily necessities.

"The advice to keep one meter away from each other was not adhered to. They were overcrowding.

“So, we have agreed that the police and the army will be stationed at supermarkets and assisted by the local authorities.

"Maybe they can help to make sure people will take turns to enter a supermarket," he said at a press conference here today.

Earlier, Ismail Sabri who is also Defence Minister announced that 50,000 personnel of the armed forces, police, RELA, Malaysian Civil Defence Force and local authorities would be mobilized to help monitor the implementation of the Movement Control Order.

"At noon today (March 22), the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) will begin assisting the police to ensure the people comply with the Movement Control Order.

"Although there has been 90 per cent compliance, as stated by the police, 10 percent involves about three million Malaysians," he said.

At the same time, Ismail Sabri advised the public not to worry about the presence of military personnel in public areas as the law was being implemented under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and not under the Emergency Act or the National Security Council Act.

"As such, only the police have the power to take action and to arrest, not the army," he said.