KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 — A total of 357 individuals were arrested by the authorities for violating regulations under the recovery movement control order (RMCO) yesterday, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

During a live telecast from Parliament, he said 32 individuals were remanded and two were released on bail.

The remainder 323 individuals were given compound fines.

"Among the MCO offences include activities which involve the presence of numerous people who make social distancing difficult and activities that violates the SOP,” Ismail said in the statement, referring to the standard operating procedure introduced during the RMCO.

"The high number of arrests shows us that the people’s failure to adhere to the SOPs is increasing.

"Adding to that, it’s obvious that the police aren’t going to compromise with those found flaunting the rules. So my advice to the people is to please follow the SOPs we made so they can avoid prosecution from the authorities.”

Border control continues to be strengthened under Ops Benteng, with cooperation with the police, armed forces and maritime enforcement agency.

Yesterday, the police conducted 57 roadblocks and inspected 27,698 vehicles to prevent the entry of illegal immigrants.

The police have also arrested four foreign nationals for immigration offences, Ismail said.

Besides that some 2,682 monitoring teams comprising 12,644 personnel have conducted 60,993 inspections yesterday, said Ismail.

Among the places inspected were 4,138 malls, 5,599 restaurants, 1,450 vendors, 1,198 factories, 2,373 markets as well as 3,551 places of worship and 1,367 places of leisure.

For overseas returnees, Ismail sought to clarify the payments they have to make as those coming back from overseas are told to pay their own costs for the quarantine period.

He said in actuality, the government is paying 56 per cent of the bill while the remainder 44 per cent is borne by the individual.

"This is the actual scenario and the locals do not have to pay more than 50 per cent of the costs. The government is paying for more than half the costs.

"This however does not apply to the foreigners. They have to pay the full amount themselves,” said Ismail.

Ismail also said all shipmates and its crew must now undertake mandatory Covid-19 tests when they arrive at any of Malaysia’s ports. They must then be quarantine for 14 days and only if found negative will they be allowed to return to the ports or back to their home country.

"The cost of the 14-day quarantine period and the Covid-19 test must be paid by the employer,” added Ismail