Sabah denies stopping Ebit Lew’s charity work, cites security risk off Semporna

 

The post by preacher Ebit Lew earlier today, saying he wasn’t able to continue his charity mission at islands off Semporna.

KOTA KINABALU: Celebrity preacher and philanthropist Ebit Lew is not able to extend his charity work at islands off Semporna on the east coast of Sabah due to security reasons.

Sabah local government and housing minister Masidi Manjun said the state government or security forces like the police and Eastern Sabah Security Command (EssCom) never issued any directive to prohibit Lew from carrying out his programmes.

But Masidi, who is also Sabah’s official Covid-19 spokesman, said the area where Ebit had intended to go was in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (EssZone), which encompasses 10 districts from Kudat in the north to Semporna in the southeast.

“What we need to understand is that the east coast of Sabah is still considered a high-risk security area and there is a curfew enforced there, including in Semporna, daily from 6am to 6pm,” he said, during his Covid-19 briefing today.

“The security forces view this risk seriously and do not want any member of the public to become targets of criminals.

“I hope this will explain our action especially over assumptions the state government is stopping people from doing charity. That is not true and in fact, any philanthropist is more than welcome to help.

“We very appreciative about what Lew is doing but it must be within the stipulated time and unfortunately, there is a curfew at night there at this point of time. But we say thank you for the help from everyone.”

Lew had earlier today posted on social media that he was unable to continue his charity mission at islands off Semporna as he was not allowed to travel to the locations.

He said he had to postpone his intentions to build a school or local community centre due to this.

Earlier today, Sabah police chief Hazani Ghazali said the police and EssCom had never prohibited Lew from carrying out his charity work.

On a question that health SOPs were not complied with during Lew’s visit to Semporna despite the presence of law enforcers, Masidi said people with authority must show a good example to others.

“With due respect, I think you need to show a little bit of example. If you are on the enforcement side, or you hold positions in government, then it is incumbent on everyone to show good leadership.

“This means compliance with the SOPs. Unfortunately, I cannot judge what other people do but I can only ask them to be good role models to others when it comes to compliance with SOPs,” he said.

Masidi said the public will question those in authority if they were seen not complying with the regulations themselves.

“I know it’s easier said than done but please ensure an environment where you execute your work but at the same time it’s in accordance with the SOPs, we need to show a good example.” - FMT