Poor compliance to movement control order in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: There are few signs that people were complying with the movement control order in Sabah on Wednesday (March 18).

Signs of public apathy were seen in many areas across the state with many continuing to patronise food outlets here.

By noon, there was still little enforcement seen in areas such as Semporna and Lahad Datu, but authorities in Kota Kinabalu have started to clamp down on such behaviour.

In Kota Kinabalu, City Hall officers began to order private tamu (markets) to close and observe the ruling that only allowed City Hall-operated markets could continue operating.

It is understood that issues surrounding the status of private markets are expected to resolved soon.

Senior state officials also expect firmer action to be taken across the state on Thursday (March 19).

However, certain areas in and around the city here are quiet, with significantly fewer cars on the roads.

There was also confusion among hoteliers, with some closing by midnight Tuesday (March 17) while others stayed open to serve guests who were still checked-in.

A hotel manager said he was unsure if he could accept new guests as hotels are now included in the expanded list of essential services, adding that some major hotels had temporarily ceased operations until March 31.

Issues also arose at the local airport after Sabah's order to totally seal its borders, as non-Sabahan arrivals were stopped from entering the state and asked to get permission from the state secretary.

Among those not allowed in by the state Immigration were certain government officers coming in for duty, but this was subsequently resolved.

Most officials indicated that hiccups were being sorted out and the key aim was to reduce public movement.

The Sabah State Security Council chaired by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal also met at 3pm Wednesday to discuss various issues.