TAWAU – There is no issue of Kg Muhibbahraya villagers not getting food aid, said the Tawau Municipal Council, after seven individuals were arrested for staging a protest outside the village on Saturday.
President Arnold Joibi said 540 food baskets have been distributed in Kg Muhibbahraya, adding that supplementary supplies will be given to villagers from today.
Joibi said since April 1, the council has distributed 8,527 food baskets for 7,372 households in 20 localities under the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) here, including Kg Muhibbahraya.
“The council is constantly monitoring the situation and sending aid in affected areas.”
The distribution channels, however, are subject to strict standard operating procedures as the Covid-19 spread here has yet to subside, he said.
On Saturday, five activists were arrested for defying police orders to disperse at Kg Muhibbahraya over the extension of the EMCO until May 8.
The lockdown was initially scheduled to end on Saturday.
Police later pick up two more men in town on the same day.
The protesters were unhappy over the extension as the lockdown will further affect the villagers’ economic situation and welfare.
Some of the protesters, including Mukmin Nantang and Azwan Irwan, are believed to be linked to the Borneo Komrad movement.
Yesterday, Tawau MP Datuk Christina Liew said she is in the midst of preparing 2,000 food baskets, which will be distributed in a week or two.
Local folk have reportedly said they have not seen Liew in the constituency since the state polls last September. – The Vibes, April 26, 2021
