KUALA LUMPUR – The government has announced the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) in several more localities in Negri Sembilan, Sabah, Kedah, Pahang and Kelantan following rising Covid-19 cases in the areas concerned.
Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the EMCO will be implemented in Taman Desaria, Seremban, Negri Sembilan; and Taman Bandar Baru Sg Lalang, Taman Lembah Permai and the Batu Arang industrial area (including Taman Cahaya PKNK) in Kedah from Monday to July 18.
During the same period, the EMCO will also be enforced in Taman Zifa, Bingkul, Beaufort, and Kg Simpangan, Kota Marudu, Sabah; as well as Kg Bukit Tanah, Mukim Bukit Jawa, Pasir Puteh, Kelantan.
The EMCO in Mukim Kuala Kuantan 2, Pahang, however, will come into force from tomorrow until July 17.
Meanwhile, he said the EMCO in Taman Merbau Utama, Mukim Bukit Jawa, Selinsing, Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, which is scheduled to end tomorrow, has been extended to July 18.
Ismail Sabri said the EMCO in Kg Rancangan Silabukan Peringkat 4, Lahad Datu, and Phases 1 and 2 of Taman Digot, Penampang, and Kg Nelayan, Batu 10, Sandakan, Sabah, will be lifted as scheduled tomorrow.
Ismail Sabri also said planting padi in areas under EMCO is allowed to avoid a shortage in the country’s rice production.
He said however farmers working in padi fields have to comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) stipulated by the government to contain the spread of Covid-19.
“With this clearance, the sustainability of the food supply chain, especially rice, will not be affected. Padi planting areas under EMCO such as Ijok in Kuala Selangor can operate as usual,” he said.
He also announced allowing legal firms to operate to facilitate documentation as courts will be reopening Monday.
“This is due to documentation involving government departments including the land office, banking institutions, court proceedings and others that have to be carried out,” he said.
Ismail Sabri said the detailed SOPs will be announced by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan soon.
On complaints by members of the public over the closure of mosques, Ismail Sabri said the SOPs on reopening mosques will be decided by state governments and not the National Security Council (NSC).
“Mosque SOPs cover allowing congregations as well as activities not controlled by NSC at the federal level, as activities relating to religion are under state governments,” he said.
On Ops Benteng, he said 24 illegal immigrants as well as three vehicles were seized while 711 individuals were arrested for violating the standard operating procedures yesterday, with 672 issued with compounds while 39 were remanded. – Bernama, July 3, 2021
