Residents under enhanced MCO in Lahad Datu demand order to be lifted

KOTA KINABALU: Hundreds of residents in two enhanced movement control order (MCO) areas in Sabah’s east coast Lahad Datu have calmed down after staging a protest over the two-week extension order.

The residents of Taman Khazanah Indah and Mutiara Kasih apartments shouted “buka, buka, buka” during a protest on Monday (Nov 9) night over the extension of the enhanced MCO until Nov 23.

However, Lahad Datu OCPD Asst Comm Nasri Mansor managed to calm the residents who have been locked in since Oct 27 following the Kasih cluster, which recorded 70 cases.

“There was no untoward incident, apart from shouts to lift the lockdown. None of the residents cause any trouble.

“I explained to them the reason and the standard operating procedure (SOP) under the order, ” he said when contacted on Tuesday (Nov 10).

ACP Nasri said the main complaint of the residents was that they were unable to work and needed to care for their families.

"I told them under the SOP, those working for essential services and related support chain, are allowed to leave for work," he said.

He said the district Natural Disaster Committee would also look into their issues.

“Calm has returned to the areas, ” he said.

Under the SOP, only one member of a family is allowed to go out to shop for essentials and also those who need to seek medical treatment or attend a funeral.

As of Nov 8, a total of 70 cases were reported in Taman Mutiara, of which eight remain under treatment while the rest have recovered.

Residents in Taman Khazanah saw 21 positive cases with 10 of them still receiving treatment.

The residents felt that the order should have been lifted, as they had undergone three Covid-19 tests and needed to go back to work to earn an income.

They said many of them were self-employed and needed to work to care for their families.

“There have been no new cases, so the order should be lifted, ” said a resident, who declined to be named.

He said since the area was put under the enhanced MCO on Oct 27, they have cooperated with the authorities.

“We hope the authorities would consider our plight, ” he said.