KOTA KINABALU – Residents in three Tawau villages will be allowed out to buy necessities and go to work despite the start of the 14-day enhanced movement control order (EMCO) tomorrow, said Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali.
He said the Tawau police chief has been instructed to talk to the affected residents and allow them to carry on with their daily routines.
“They, however, still need to register at police checkpoints, going in and out. We are giving them some leeway and allowing them to exit their areas. They can go out. But we will not allow outsiders to come in, except for emergency cases,” he told reporters here today.
With this, Hazani believes the police force will be able to defuse the tense situation in the district arising from targeted lockdowns that many said have caused problems in getting food and earning a living.
‘Outsiders instigated villagers’
According to Hazani, the seven individuals detained at Kg Muhibbahraya, Tawau, are not from the village.
“The ones who organised the peaceful demonstration are not from there. They are outsiders. I believe the police had taken the right action. We had already advised them to disperse but they refused to listen to the authorities,” said Hazani, adding that such incidents are likely to end in SOP violations.
He said the seven men will likely be compounded for violating health SOPs.
However, Hazani said he is concerned that outsiders will again come and instigate the villagers despite the situation appearing to have calmed.
He added that the police have handed the investigation papers to the public prosecutor for further action.
Last Saturday, seven men were detained for organising a peaceful protest in front of Kg Muhibbahraya and another protest ensued in Kg Baru Pasir Putih.
Hazani said the seven men are now out on police bail, adding that no arrests were made at the protest at Kg Batu Pasir Putih, as well as another protest held in Kg Icebox two days ago.
Still no reports on police beating
In another development, Hazani said he has yet to receive the official report from activist Mukmin Nantang, who alleged he was beaten by police after his arrest at Kg Muhibbahraya.
“I am still waiting for the police report. We will investigate once an official report is in.
“I am not on anyone’s side on this matter. If my officer indeed has hit the activist, come forward and report it. We will investigate,” said Hazani, adding that the story on police beating the activist had been spun.
Pork seller spins his own story
Hazani also defended the RM50,000 compound imposed on a roast wild boar trader who claimed he had been unfairly fined by the police for flouting health SOPs.
He said stall operator Rayner Longtin had been operating a karaoke, selling alcoholic beverages and exotic food – all without a permit or a valid business operating licence.
He added when police acting on public complaints went to his stall in Jalan Sulaman, Sepanggar, they found Longtin, 32, was far from closing his stall.
“The speakers were still on for the karaoke and the two men who were at the establishment were not his customers, but his workers. They were still drinking when police arrived,” said Hazani, adding that this was the reason the two men were fined RM10,000 each.
He said the stories played up by social media users and pork sellers were probably attempts to win public sympathy.
Hazani also let out a stern warning to netizens to not spin stories and viralise unverified information following the Tawau lockdown and the wild boar trader episode.
He said the police have been tolerant for long enough, and will now be taking stern action against anyone who flouts the SOPs.
“We want those on social media not to spread stories without verifying the facts. Check with the authorities to get the facts and think twice before sharing such news.” – The Vibes, April 30, 2021
