No more shopping in KK for Penampang folks

Haris and his team inspecting the roadblock along Jalan Penampang on Sunday.

PENAMPANG: Penampang residents are no longer allowed to travel out to Kota Kinabalu unless for urgent matters, said Penampang Police Chief DSP Mohd Haris Ibrahim. 

The decision came following stricter enforcement in conjunction with the third phase of the Movement Control Order (MCO) to contain the spread of Covid-19.

As of April 12, a total of 12 Covid-19 positive cases have been detected in the district. 

During his inspections at a roadblock along Jalan Penampang, Sunday, Haris noted that some motorists gave the excuse of wanting to buy essentials in Lido, which is under Kota Kinabalu. 

“We instructed them to turn back and buy essentials in Penampang area, we do not allow residents to cross the Penampang border just to buy essentials in Kota Kinabalu,” he said. 

He said the same goes for those staying in Lido. 

“We do not allow them (residents in Lido) to enter Penampang to buy essentials. They can buy essentials in Lido area because there are sufficient supermarkets and convenience stores in the area. 

“There is no need to cross the Penampang-Kota Kinabalu border or the Kota Kinabalu-Penampang border just to buy essentials. 

“Those found doing so will be instructed to turn back and do shopping in their respective areas,” he said. 

As of Sunday, Penampang police have opened 30 investigation papers involving 54 arrests. All the cases are related to defiance of the MCO. 

“We will refer the investigation papers to the Attorney-General’s Office on Monday for further action,” he said. 

Haris again advised Penampang residents to comply with the law throughout the MCO, which has been extended to April 28. 

“We urge them to stay home if there is no need to go out, unless there is a need or permission. If they are out and about just for the sake of going out, we will enforce the law and if they fail to abide, we will arrest,” he said. 

He also said police would tighten monitoring to ensure those listed under the essential services do not misuse their essential passes or permission by going out and about unnecessarily while not on duty.  

On another development, he said there has been compliance from Kinarut and Sabindo residents who are no longer allowed to enter Putatan and Penampang to buy essentials or go to banks. 

“We see that the awareness is there, we don’t see residents from Sabindo and Kinarut coming to buy essentials in Putatan and Penampang now. 

“I remind again that although we understand their concern over the distance of having to travel to Papar compared to Putatan, in this situation we have to comply because we want to break the Covid-19 chain,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Penampang District Council Executive Officer Tang Yang Ming expressed hope that residents from neighbouring Papar would understand the need for the restriction. 

“There is no intention to restrict people from coming to Penampang. It needs to be done especially during this MCO to contain the spread of Covid-19,” he said. 

Penampang District Council Councillor, Datuk Honorsius Bosuin, shared the same views and hoped the people understand the situation.  - daily express