In a Facebook post, he said these included factories, business premises, construction sites and staff accommodation.

“When the benefit of being allowed to operate is given, there should not be any excuses for premises to violate SOPs – a huge risk towards national security, especially in the context of Covid-19 transmission,” he said.

Since assuming his new post, Hishammuddin said he had received reports from the compliance operation task force every day.

He thanked home minister Hamzah Zainudin as chairman of the Covid-19 SOP enforcement and compliance coordination committee and the police for ensuring SOP compliance throughout the country.

“Neither I nor the police wish to take action. But if the premises themselves are irresponsible, then they will have to bear the consequences.”