MP: Kalabakan not one of Sabah's green zones

Kalabakan Member of Parliament Ma’mun Sulaiman (with black mask) distributing food supply to constituents affected by MCO. - NSTP/MA’MUN SULAIMAN

By Olivia Miwil - April 7, 2020 @ 11:12am

KALABAKAN: Claims that the Sabah district of Kalabakan is free from Covid-19 are untrue.

Kalabakan Member of Parliament Ma’mun Sulaiman said that there are 10 patients from the constituency receiving treatment at Tawau hospital.

“We had a meeting with the health authorities, district office, as well as the National Security Council, and I was told that Kalabakan is not spared from the infection.

“Ten of the cumulative 67 Covid-19 cases recorded under Tawau district are from Kalabakan,” he told the New Straits Times, adding that he has requested that the authorities make the data more specific for public knowledge.

Kalabakan, which borders the red zone of Tawau, was reported as being one of 10 districts in Sabah categorised as green zones, meaning they have no recorded cases of Covid-19

Other zero-case districts are Kudat, Pitas, Kota Marudu, Tongod, Tenom, Nabawan, Kuala Penyu, Beluran and Telupid.

Ma’mun added that among those from Kalabakan who are receiving treatment for Covid-19 in Tawau hospital, are two who attended the Tabligh gathering in Sri Petaling.

One of the attendees, from Mawang Bukit Batu here, infected his wife and seven other Tabligh members in that area.

“The health authority has checked about 100 people at the locality. About 212 are being quarantined, while the estate at Mawang Bukit Batu is closed from March 22 until April 18.

“There were also disinfection activities being held at mosques, surau, offices, religious schools and the Mawang health clinic,” he said.

Following the meeting, Ma’mun said that the community of about 200 at Mawang Bukit Batu is in lockdown mode.

He added that the constituency will have a quarantine centre as part of measures to contain the infection.

As for distribution of aid, Ma’mun said that state assemblymen and himself have been reaching out to people, especially those who are in the interior.

“We are hoping that the Movement Control Order will not be extended, as there are many people who depend on daily wages who are suffering from not having enough to provide for their families,” he said.