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KOTA KINABALU: Celebrity preacher and philanthropist Ebit Lew is unable to extend his charity work on the Semporna Islands off the east coast of Sabah due to security reasons.
Sabah’s Minister of Housing and Local Government Masidi Manjun said that the state government or security forces such as the police and the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) never issued any directives to prohibit Lew from carrying out their programs. .
But Masidi, who is also Sabah’s official Covid-19 spokesperson, said the area where Ebit intended to go was in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone, which spans 10 districts from Kudat in the north to Semporna in Southeast.
“What we have to understand is that the east coast of Sabah is still considered a high risk security area and there is a curfew that is enforced there, including in Semporna, every day from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. . M. “, He said, during his briefing on Covid-19. today.
“The security forces take this risk seriously and do not want any member of the public to be targeted by criminals.
“I hope this explains our action, especially on the assumptions that the state government is preventing people from doing charity. That is not true, and indeed any philanthropist is more than welcome to help.
“We are very grateful for what Lew is doing, but it must be within the allotted time and, unfortunately, there is a night curfew at this time.”
Lew had posted on social media today that he was unable to continue his charitable mission on the islands off Semporna as he was not allowed to travel to the locations.
He said he had to postpone his intentions to build a local school or community center because of this.
Earlier today, Sabah Police Chief Hazani Ghazali said that the police and ESSCom had never prohibited Lew from carrying out his charity work.
On a question that health standard operating procedures (SOPs) were not followed during Lew’s visit to Semporna despite the presence of law enforcement officers, Masidi said that people in authority should set a good example for others.
“With all due respect, I think you should set a bit of an example. If you are on the law enforcement side or in government positions, then it is everyone’s responsibility to show good leadership.
“This means compliance with the SOPs. Unfortunately, I can’t judge what other people are doing, but I can only ask them to be good role models for others when it comes to adhering to standard operating procedures, ”he said.
Masidi said the public will question authorities if they are seen to be failing to comply with regulations.
“I know that is easier said than done, but make sure you have an environment where you run your work, but at the same time agree to the SOPs, we must set a good example.”
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