THE first day of the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) at 13 localities in Bayan Lepas got off to a smooth start today, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
The EMCO is effective today until June 17.
Chow, who visited the affected areas with his team, said the southwest district Disaster Management Committee had set up a Disaster Operations Control Centre (PKOB) in a multipurpose hall in Bayan Lepas to accommodate and assist the affected residents.
“The affected residents need not worry about facing difficulty as help is here at all times during this EMCO period.
“From time to time, the state Social Welfare Department, Penang Zakat Management Centre (ZPP), Bayan Lepas assemblyman’s office and other relevant non-governmental organisations (NGOs) will be providing the necessary help to the people here.
“Stay strong and stay safe everyone, and most importantly, please abide by the standard operating procedures (SOPs),” Chow said during his visit today.
Balik Pulau OCPD Supt A. Anbalagan, who accompanied Chow during the visit, said that a total of 60 police officers are stationed at the 13 localities daily.
“It is a difficult period for all, but it is important to follow the strict SOPs to curb the spread of Covid-19.
“The EMCO may be a new thing for most of the residents here. However, it has been quite a good start today.
“The residents have raised a common issue so far. They said that they are facing difficulty in withdrawing money from the ATM machines.
“I believe there is no ATM machine in the affected localities here.
“We advised them to use their smartphones and make cashless transactions.
“We are looking into ways to help those who are unable to use cashless transactions,” Anbalagan said.
Some 10,000 people, from 2,434 residential units and 85 commercial buildings, are said to be affected by the EMCO.
The affected areas are Sri Bayu, Bayu Tiara, Bayan Nyaman, Halaman Murni, Bayan Permai, Bayan Tiara, Taman Ara Indah, Kampung Bukit, Kampung Perlis, Kampung Perlis, Jalan Mahkamah, Kampung Pak Lah and Lebuh Kampung Bukit.
Senior Minister for Security Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, in a press conference recently, said the National Security Council (NSC) made the decision to enforce the EMCO in the said areas, following the spike in Covid-19 cases.
Also present were state Entrepreneurial Development, Trade and Industry Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, who is also the Batu Maung assemblyman, Chow’s political secretary Teh Lai Heng, Bayan Lepas assemblyman Azrul Mahathir Aziz, Balik Pulau MP Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik, MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang and Southwest district officer Mohd Hafiz Aswad Nadzri.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi