Ensure fast food aid, warns Hajiji

Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor on Tuesday issued a stern warning to officers on the ground in all districts who have been slow or failed to deliver the much-needed food aid to people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said he has directed State Secretary Datuk Safar Untong to closely monitor the distribution process to ensure the Government’s food baskets reach recipients throughout the State well in time.

“I will get regular updates to ensure this is done,” he said after chairing a special State Security Committee meeting here, Tuesday, attended by Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, Sabah Health Director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi and Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali. 

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Also present were Esscom Commander Datuk Datuk Ahmad Fuad Othman, Fifth Infantry Division Commander Major General Datuk Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan, Eastern Fleet Commander Syed Zahrul Putra Syed Abdullah, Sabah Special Branch Chief Mohd Salleh Yahya and heads of government agencies and departments.

It was held to discuss the Covid-19 situation in Sabah and the ongoing efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19, as well as the strategy, direction and challenges faced.

Hajiji said 22 localities in the State have been placed under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (Emco).

While this was unavoidable, he said, the State Government understood the plight of many in the business sectors who have suffered losses.

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“We will look at the situation with the view to easing the Movement Control Order so businesses can open up again,” he said.

While praising all security agencies for successfully enforcing security at the State’s borders, Hajiji reminded that measures need to be tightened via the Task Force “Ops Benteng” to ensure no intrusion of illegal foreigners who have the potential to make this pandemic worse.

The joint security forces saw to it that all non-conventional ships coming into Malaysian waters to and from Indonesia and the Philippines were prohibited.

Paying tribute all frontliners for their sacrifices, Hajiji said overall the country has managed the pandemic well and he wishes to see this continued co-operation between State and Federal authorities to handle the situation in Sabah.