Five activists detained over demo to end EMCO in Tawau village

TAWAU – Five activists involved in a protest calling for the end of the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) on a village here have been detained by the authorities.

Those in the group who held a peaceful protest near Kampung Muhibbah Raya here were arrested after they had gathered near the lockdown area.

A source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the five men are local Tawau boys and believed to be a part of a group identified as Borneo Komrad.

“According to the police, they were told to hold such a gathering near the local council office,” the source said.

“About 30 of them held the protest because the villagers in the area are mostly from the poor income group earning daily wages. They are not able to survive another round of lockdown,” the source added.

It is understood that a movement to call for the release of the five men has been started. It is named #SolidaritiKgMuhibah.

It is also understood that Borneo Komrad leader Mukmin Nantang is one of the five detained by the police.

Meanwhile, a message calling for solidarity and a show of support for the five detained men has been shared by many on social media, including Sabah Bersih 2.0 vice-chairman Beverly Joeman and Suara Mahasiswa UMS’s (Universiti Malaysia Sabah) Facebook page.

The message, originally in Malay, reads as follows:

“Solidarity for the oppressed rakyat!

“At about 3.20pm today a peaceful gathering was initiated by a group of young people and activists with the residents of Kg Muhibbah Raya, Tawau, Sabah.

“The gathering was conducted following the announcement of the EMCO extension in the area, which made the villagers get angry due to their affected economy and welfare which has been ignored by the rulers!

“Several activists, that is Mukmin Nantang and Azwan Irwan and five more representatives of the villagers, have been detained by the police!

“While we wait for result, let us continue our solidarity for the rakyat who are oppressed!

“When our suggestions have been rejected without consideration, voices of criticism are forbidden without any excuses, accused of being subversive and disturbing peace, then there is only one word: FIGHT!”

The message ended with the hashtags #SolidaritiRakyat, #SuaraTawau, and #DemonstrasiBukanJenayah.

Yesterday, the National Security Council announced that the EMCO in Kg Muhibbah Raya that was scheduled to end on April 24 (today) will be extended until May 8, 2021 due to an increase in Covid-19 cases in the area.

Sabah Covid-19 Official Spokesman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said in a statement that the Health Ministry has confirmed continuous infections of the virus in the area, and 310 samples have been taken and awaiting results.

Tawau district police chief ACP Peter Umbuas has yet to respond The Vibes for comments on the case. – The Vibes, April 24, 2021