Sabah gov't mulling easing EMCO to revive economy

 By Olivia Miwil - November 3, 2020 @ 5:58pm

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (centre) chairing a meeting with state security Committee Meeting. - Photo courtesy Sabah Chief Minister's office.

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government is looking into easing the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) imposed on many areas in the state to help restart businesses.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said to date, 22 localities in Sabah have been placed under the EMCO.

"While this is unavoidable, the state government understands the plight of many in the business sectors who have suffered losses.

"We will look at the situation with a view to ease the movement control order, so businesses can open up again," he said in a statement after a special state Security Committee meeting.

The ECMO is akin to a total lockdown, with most economic and social activities halted.

Also at the meeting were Fifth Infantry Division Commander Major General Datuk Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan; Eastern Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Datuk Syed Zahrul Putra Syed Abdullah; Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali; ESSCOM Commander Datuk Ahmad Fuad Othman; and Sabah Special Branch Chief Mohd Salleh Yahya.

Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun; State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong; Federal Secretary Sabah Datuk Samsuni Mohd Nor; as well as Sabah Health Director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi were also present.

The special meeting was held to discuss the Covid-19 situation in Sabah and ongoing efforts to contain the pandemic, as well as the strategy and direction of the response, including challenges faced.

Earlier, Hajiji extended his appreciation to frontliners, including security agencies, for successfully enforcing security at the state's borders by preventing the intrusion of illegals.

He said he also hopes to see continued cooperation between the state and federal authorities in handling the pandemic.

Hajiji also assured the public that food basket distributions are being made, following complaints of slow delivery of the aid.

Since the state government announced food basket allocations for those affected by Covid-19 last month, it has distributed 131,052 baskets to 27 districts.