KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 — The enhanced movement control order (EMCO) in three localities in Kudat, Sabah, which was supposed to end today, has been extended for two more weeks until November 26, said Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He said the decision to extend the EMCO in Kampung Pengaraban, Kampung Tanjung Kapur and Kampung Landung Ayang was taken on the advice and risk evaluation of the Ministry of Health (MOH).
"As of November 11, the MOH has screened 14,906 residents in these areas and found that there are still active cases in all three locations, with Kampung Pengaraban having 21 active cases, Kampung Tanjung Kapur (10) and Kampung Landung Ayang (54).
"At the same time, a lot more test results are pending, so on the advice of the MOH, the government has agreed to extend the EMCO,” he said at the daily press conference on the recovery movement control order (RMCO) here today.
Ismail Sabri, who is also the Defence Minister, explained that every decision made by the government is based on comprehensive data provided by the MOH, not only in terms of the total number of positive cases but also risk evaluation.
“Many ask on what basis (are RMCO and EMCO implemented or extended). Like I said, the full data provided by the MOH and every decision is based on the data and risk evaluation, including in terms of infectivity potential.
“This is the probability taken into account by the MOH before it advises the Special Meeting of the National Security Council (NSC), which the Prime Minister chairs, and only then we make a decision,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said a total of 431 individuals were detained for flouting the standard operating procedure (SOP) of the RMCO yesterday, with 413 compounded, 17 remanded and one released on bail.
Among the offences included failure to wear face masks (101), failure to provide equipment for registering customers (78), failure to observe physical distancing (72), taking part in activities at entertainment centres (42) and premises operating beyond stipulated operating hours (40).
On Ops Benteng, Ismail Sabri said a total of 31 illegal immigrants and a smuggler were arrested while two land vehicles were seized yesterday.
He urged members of the public to contact the National Task Force hotline at 01162511223 to continue relaying information on illegal immigrants and cross-border crimes.
He added that from July 24 until yesterday, 65,494 individuals had returned to the country and, of the total, 9,961 are undergoing compulsory quarantine in 68 hotels and 21 other premises, including Public Training Institutions and private higher education institutions nationwide.
Apart from that, 388 individuals have been sent to hospitals for treatment and 55,145 allowed to return home.
— Bernama
