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| Sabah police conducting a roadblock along Jalan Kepayan last night to remind motorists of the Control Movement Order. - NSTP/Olivia Miwil By Olivia Miwil - March 19, 2020 @ 10:02am
KOTA KINABALU: Police will not hesitate to arrest anyone who failed to adhere to the two-week Movement Control Order (MCO) imposed by the government to contain the spread of Covid-19.
District police chief assistant commissioner Habibi Majinji said the move, however, would be the last resort in ensuring compliance to the movement order.
“In the early stage, police will inform and advise the people not to simply come out and be at crowded areas such as the public parks and restaurants.
“After that, we will issues warnings to them.
"If they still wander around about without any purpose, police will take action against them as stipulated under the Prevention and Control Infectious Diseases Act 1988,” he said during an operation along Jalan Kepayan here last night.
Habibi added that police had launched a 24-hour operation centre to oversee cases related to Covid-19 since yesterday morning.
He said the force were working with City Hall enforcement officers yesterday to check on non-essential services premises in the city and advised them to close.
Police, he said, would also mount roadblocks and intensify patrols to ensure people stay at homes.
“(For Kota Kinabalu), there will be an officer and nine staff working in a shift. I have nine stations.
“The operations will continue until the people understand (and abide by) this order,” he said, adding that he had also advised his staff to maintain cleanliness and equip themselves with masks for their own protection so that they would not become the contributing factor that spread the virus to others.
As for those who stayed at home, Habibi reminded them not to share unverified news that could cause panic.
He said police would take action against them under Section 505 of Penal Code for making, publishing or circulating any statement, rumour or report which is likely to cause fear or alarm to the public.
Meanwhile, checks at several public areas as of 8am showed that many people were still ignoring the order.
At Bukit Kopungit, several cars were seen parked at the hiking starting point and an elderly couple were sighted with their hiking gear.
There were at least 50 passengers waiting for their turns to get onto express buses at the Inanam Bus Station Terminal here.
An enforcement officer was seen conducting thermal screening on the public at the terminal.
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