Entry ban in place but cop says Sabahans from Sulawesi did 'nothing wrong'

CORONAVIRUS | Police have denied reports that a group of 12 Malaysians who returned from the postponed international tabligh gathering in Gowa, Makassar on Indonesia's Sulawesi island had attempted to enter Sabah illegally.

Sinar Harian quoted Bukit Aman's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief Huzir Mohamed (photo) saying that the authorities had anticipated their arrival in Tawau on Saturday.

"We waited for them in Tawau, and they were taken to be tested for Covid-19.

"They have done nothing wrong," Huzir was quoted by the Malay daily.

Their entry into the state was despite an order issued by Sabah state secretary Safari Untong for a 14-day entry restriction, effective last Friday, to be imposed on all Sabahans who attended the World Ijtimak Asia Zone 2020 in Sulawesi.

Sources told Malaysiakini the group had obtained permission from Sabah authorities to enter Tawau from North Kalimantan, despite the entry ban.

The source, from Sabah's Syura Alami tabligh community, also claimed the group - now under quarantine in Tawau - was advised to change their plans from taking a flight from Tarakan and to take a boat from Nunukan island instead.

Malaysiakini reported that 107 Malaysians have returned from the postponed Sulawesi gathering as of yesterday.

It is still unclear whether others aside from the 12 Sabahans are being quarantined at other locations in their respective states or placed in self-isolation at home.

Concerns about the Sulawesi tabligh gathering came following a similar event at a mosque in Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur, from Feb 27 to March 1, which led to many participants being infected with Covid-19, not only in Malaysia but also countries within the region. - Mkini