Hajiji urges Sabahans to stay vigilant despite relaxed Raya SOPs

 

Hajiji (front row, middle) performing the Sunat Aidilfitri prayers with some 10,000 people in Kota Kinabalu on Monday (May 2) morning.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabahans have been reminded to observe Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) despite the government relaxing requirements for the Hari Raya period.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor urged the people to continue heeding the rules while celebrating with their loved ones as the state was still registering new cases daily.

He said the reopening of borders on April 1 allowed the people to make the “balik kampung” trip, many after two years of movement restrictions during the pandemic.

“I am sure many are excited to be going back to their villages.

“Nonetheless, we also realise that... our country and, for that matter, the whole world has yet to fully recover.

“Even though Sabah’s new cases are on a downward trend, it is imperative that we continue to adhere to the SOPs,” he said in his Hari Raya message on Monday (May 2).

He said Muslims looked forward to Hari Raya as it symbolised victory after a month of fasting.

“We are thankful because there is a difference in this year’s celebrations compared to (the last) two years... when the movement control order prevented Muslims from celebrating it with their families in their hometowns.”

The Chief Minister also paid tribute to frontliners and security forces.

“I pray that our frontliners and security forces who are on duty will be able to celebrate Aidilfitri comfortably and always be safe,” he said.

Hajiji also thanked the people of Sabah for supporting the government’s efforts to curb Covid-19 as well as the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya initiative, the state’s development plan.

“I hope everyone will continue to nurture (Sabah's) unity and harmonious relationship,” he said.

Meanwhile, many Sabahans had to make quick changes to their Raya schedules after expecting that it would fall on Tuesday (May 3).

A restaurant owner who declined to be named said he was short-staffed after allowing his workers to return to their hometowns.

“I told them they could come back late today (Monday) so we can be ready in time for the Raya crowd the next day. I am struggling to find temporary workers now,” he told The Star.

It was also learnt that some politicians had to hastily adjust their catering orders as they had only ordered the food to be delivered on Tuesday morning. - Star