Remember the Covid: Sabah cops ask people not to gather for New Year's

KOTA KINABALU: New Year celebrants in Sabah are reminded to refrain from gathering at public areas to usher in the New Year.

This reminder came as it is the norm here for people to either camp or congregate along river banks and beaches to welcome the New Year, so that they can take a dip to ward off bad luck and wash away all things negative once midnight strikes.

Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali said this prohibition is in line with Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s announcement on the matter on Dec 28.

“We have a total of 260 personnel who will be conducting patrols in every district to ensure that all SOPs are adhered to, ” he said in a statement here Wednesday (Dec 30).

He said anyone found breaching the SOPs will either be compounded immediately or arrested if they ignore instructions, such as being asked to disperse.

Hazani added the Meteorological Department has also warned of heavy rains, strong winds and high waves up to Jan 2.

“Please be reminded that our fight against Covid-19 is not over and immediate action will be taken if there is any breach of SOPs, ” he said.