TAWAU – Isolated Kg Baru Pasir Putih villagers have come out tonight in force to protest against the extension of the enhanced movement control order (EMCO).
The crowds were heard shouting “buka, buka” (open, open) repeatedly in a bid to be allowed out of the village.
The lockdown was supposed to end on April 18, but the Movement Control Order Technical Committee, on the advice of the Health Ministry, extended the EMCO from April 19 until May 12.
In a statement, the state Covid-19 secretariat said the decision is in line with the federal government’s decision.
The extension follows a screening of 847 individuals, out of which 23 tested positive for Covid-19.
Some of the protesters also called on Tawau Municipal Council president Arnold Joibi to end the lockdown.
Residents were seen gathering behind a barbed-wire fence set up on the first day of the EMCO two weeks ago, as police monitored the crowd.
The incident comes after seven protesters, led by Borneo Komrad member Mukmin Nantang, were released from police detention yesterday.
Their protest was held last Saturday calling for an end to the EMCO in Kg Muhibbah Raya.
Meanwhile, a 51-minute video of the gathering tonight was posted on Facebook by Mohd Shaddan.
In it, a resident laments about not having been able to see his parents.
“I want to meet my parents. Its been a long time since I have seen them,” the man said.
Some 56 minutes into the protest, a police officer is seen addressing the crowd, calling for calm.
But when the officer pointed out that the protesters were not practising social distancing, the crowd became rowdy.
“We did not come here to fight. We are not cruel (for imposing the EMCO). I am discussing this with the authorities. We cannot open 100% tonight.
“But what I can do tonight is allow people to come out. But all details must be recorded,” the officer is heard saying. – The Vibes, April 27, 2021
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