KOTA KINABALU: Stay home and only come out if you need to buy essentials, says Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (pic).

His stern advice came as Sabah saw public apathy on the first day of the movement control order (MCO) on Wednesday (March 18).
 

He said the two weeks of restricted movement is to fight the spread of Covid-19 – not a time to enjoy and spend hours relaxing outdoors with families.

"These are challenging times and everyone needs to work together to stop the spread of Covid-19 – especially when Sabah has among the highest number of cases in the country," he said after chairing the Sabah state national security council (NSC) meeting here.
 

Shafie said the rate at which Covid-19 was spreading is worrying, and different measures have to be taken to address its threat.

He said those not cooperating with the restriction order would be advised and warned to adhere to the MCO immediately.

"We have our enforcement officials from various departments such as the Immigration Department, police, health, city hall and many more to help see the smooth implementation of the MCO," he said.

Shafie said all enforcement authorities would take action on people who still refused to stay home and were seen outside, including in public parks.

On fears about food supply, he said the government – together with various ministries – would ensure that there is enough.

"We'll also help students outside Sabah who are forced to stay in hostels in terms of food supplies for these two weeks," he said.

"This is just a two-week restriction, not two months or two years," Shafie said in advising consumers to only buy what is necessary.

He reminded non-Sabahan Malaysians or Sabahans wanting to enter Sabah to ensure they have the needed health certificates clearing them of Covid-19.

On the incident where opposition states including Sabah were not invited to attend a national Covid-19 meeting chaired by the Prime Minister recently, he said the chief secretary to the government has apologised for the oversight.

"We should not prolong this matter but do what is necessary to move forward," Shafie said.

"We also want to protect the safety and health of our people and we must know the boundary of political ideology. We must control the spread of this virus," he said.

On matters concerning Hari Raya and Ramadhan, he said the state would not hold a state Hari Raya function while prayers during the fasting month should be held at respective homes amongst close family members only.

Shafie said the scheduled State Assembly sitting from April 16 to 23 would go on, but only involve assemblymen and some government officials.