Kota Kinabalu: The State Government will seek the assistance of police and Malaysian Volunteer Corps Department (Rela) to help local enforcement authorities enforce the two-week Movement Control Order in Sabah.   

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said this in response to individuals and business premises in the State which seem to continue with their daily outdoor activities or businesses despite the control order.     

Appealing to the people and businesses in Sabah to comply, Mohd Shafie said the Movement Control Order implementation in Sabah would be in three stages.      

“The first is to control so that Covid-19 outbreak will not spread further which we will do under the Health Act 342. 

“The second stage will be a curfew which will be under the police. And the last stage, which we hope will not come to this, is the emergency stage, which will involve deployment of the army,” he told a press conference after chairing the State Security Committee meeting at the State Administrative Centre (PPNS), Wednesday.  

Mohd Shafie, who is also the State Security Committee Chairman, said the first stage is to control the outbreak. 

“How can we do it. We need to ensure all the guidelines are complied by all. That is why we will notify the Local Government and Housing Ministry to see how only several markets can be opened for the public during the two-week period. 

“So I also hope the available enforcement unit will help to ensure compliance to the implementation of the Movement Control Order. We will also seek the police and Rela to help the local enforcement authorities on this,” he said. 

The State Government has also activated a State-level Command Centre, under the State Disaster Committee chaired by the State Secretary and with collaboration from the Federal Government, effective March 12, as part of  measures to control the spread of Covid-19 in Sabah.

He said the district-level disaster committee has also been activated at all the districts chaired by its respective district officer. 

“The State Government hopes the collaboration from the State Health Department to provide latest and detailed data related to Covid-19 so fast action can be taken in the event of an incidence. 

“I also appeal to all people in Sabah to always comply with the enforcement of the Movement Control Order from Mar 16 to 31. This is a responsibility that must be complied with by all the people who cares about their family, community, state and the country.” 

The State-level Command Centre can be contacted via a 24-hour hotline no: 088-369434, beginning today (Mar 19). Sabah has 103 positive Covid-19 cases as of Wednesday, an increase by 21 new cases, from 82 cases on Tuesday. 

Apart from providing guidance, the State Government will also make sure that there will be supplies of kits like face masks and sanitisers for all the schools and that all public places like mosques, churches, markets and district quarantine centres will be disinfected.

The screening methods at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) will also be smoothened, he said, adding the State Local Government and Housing Ministry has also been directed to discuss with all food industry players concerned to ensure sufficient food supplies at hypermarkets and supermarkets during the two-week period.  

“We will make sure there will be no shortage in food supply during the two weeks period,” he said.