KOTA KINABALU – There will not be any travel restrictions imposed on residents within the Kota Kinabalu movement control order (MCO) area zone, comprising Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Putatan.
Sabah government Covid-19 spokesman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said this is because the three are considered as one district.
He said this in his daily briefing yesterday evening when asked to comment over earlier reports that Sabah police requested the government consider relaxing the 10km radius limit for travel under the MCO due to the long distances some Sabahans have to travel to get daily necessities.
Masidi said however those who need to travel across districts for important reasons can apply for police permission.
“However let’s leave it to the police to first carry it out (the 10km MCO limit) and if there is any issue that arises from this then we will consider,” he said.
On any complaints or inquiries from Sabahans working in the peninsula and unable to return to Sabah, Masidi said those who wanted to come back or go to the peninsula are bound to the state’s entry prohibitions and provisions.
He said those who get the necessary permission can go to KL and come back at any time, assuming they can find a flight.
Masidi also said he had received a message from a Sabahan elected legislator currently in West Malaysia who asked if those over there can go back to Sabah.
“I told them yes, just follow the normal testing procedures three days before departure and it’s fine,” he said.
On a question about the number of Sabah state ministers currently under quarantine, Masidi said only Sabah Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan is affected.
He added that there are also assistant ministers – Datuk Robert Tawik and Hendrus Anding – who are under quarantine. The other ministers are fine, he said.
Asked about any government aid to be extended to local businesses during the MCO, Masidi said it was something that he was sure the government would look into.
“I’m sure the association representing a particular trade will want to send a memorandum to the government and I'm sure the government will consider it favourably. So far there is not yet any aid that I can announce to be given to the various sectors,” he said.
Lax public attitude
Meanwhile Masidi said the public's lax attitudes have contributed towards the swing in the number of new Covid-19 cases.
“Our problem is whenever we see a drop in case numbers, we become complacent and careless and no longer care about adhering to the SOPs,” he said.
“It is my hope that now since the government has announced an MCO, we take it more seriously.
“We have been negligent slightly before the new year or during the new year, and now we can see the result of that negligence towards the SOPs.”
He said he hoped all would also cooperate to reduce Covid-19 infections which have gone up.
“We have done it in the past and it’s high time for us to again cooperate to work together to push down the numbers.
“We want to restart life as normal as possible but it can only be done if the Covid-19 menace can be beaten by Sabahans.” – The Vibes, January 13, 2021
