KOTA KINABALU – A cloak of silence has fallen on Rumah Murah Kepayan and Kg Tg Aru Baru, areas that are among the Sabah capital’s most populated, as residents undergo a 14-day lockdown starting today.
Most have accepted the reality that their movements will be limited to within their neighbourhoods – a decision made by the authorities to stop surging Covid-19 infections.
Traffic has slowed to a trickle, and the number of cars parked near shops has noticeably reduced.
The two residential areas, located only 7km apart, are a stone’s throw away from Kota Kinabalu city.
Priscilla Chong, a 60-year-old home-based seamstress at Rumah Murah Kepayan, told The Vibes that she believes prevention is better than cure, and so the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) may well stem coronavirus cases in her area.
“I accept it (the lockdown). We acquired supplies for the next few days earlier today (yesterday).
“I don’t feel stressed knowing that my movement will be limited in the coming days.”
Chong, a former government-linked company employee, lives with her daughter Anabelle and son-in-law Simon Chip, and has been working as a seamstress since her retirement several years ago.
Anabelle and Chip approached the lockdown with optimism and humour.
“It will be fun. No need to take long drives to work. I think I can complete more tasks when I am at home,” said Anabelle.
While Kg Tg Aru Baru is a beachfront water village, Rumah Murah Kepayan is known for being near the state police headquarters and central prison, and has an estimated population of over 20,000.
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday announced that these two areas will be under the EMCO until June 17.
State health authorities said a 55-year-old Grab driver, who is also a muezzin, is the index case in a Covid-19 cluster here.
Outbreak follows massive fire
The cause of the cluster in Kg Tg Aru Baru has yet to be ascertained.
The lockdown comes shortly after residents saw a huge fire on May 25 that razed 33 houses, leaving at least 60 families homeless.
A circular issued to villagers from Masjid Al Amin, a prayer hut, said a member of the congregation tested positive for the disease.
The circular, dated May 28, also noted the closure of the prayer hut on the order of state health authorities to allow for disinfection and screening.
To date, both localities have recorded a total of 24 infections – 16 at Rumah Murah Kepayan and the rest in Kg Tg Aru Baru.
Azlan Mahmud of Kg Tg Aru Baru said the village, usually noisy with children playing on the streets and vehicles driving by, is silent on the eve of the lockdown.
“The village is now very quiet, with barely any cars passing by.”
The former native chief said he is surprised that the clusters were not reported, and that he found out the village will go under lockdown from the news.
“Maybe around midnight, the authorities will come and install barbed wire. We’ll see.”
He said he has no problem waiting two weeks to move about freely again.
Azlan added that he has enough food supplies to last four days.
“I have a nephew outside the village, and he will help me get supplies when I need them.
“He will be in constant contact with me, and will get me supplies or anything else I require.” – The Vibes, June 4, 2021
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