Selangor, KL still under Phase One of PPN - DPM

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said although the threshold indicator value of having 10 per cent of the adult population had been achieved, COVID-19 cases were still high and the level of bed usage in the intensive care unit (ICU) was still critical.

"The three key threshold indicator values in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur must be achieved before moving to Phase Two," he said in a media statement on the developments of the PPN and EMCO today.

The EMCO in 34 sub-districts in Selangor and nine localities in Kuala Lumpur, which began on July 3, was ended yesterday after the government studied the presentation of the current situation by the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Ismail Sabri, who is also the Defence Minister, said that the EMCO would now be imposed only on localities that recorded a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Ismail Sabri also reminded the public that the government would not compromise with any parties who frequently violated the SOP of the PPN, adding that it also won't hesitate to close down the operations of their premises or factories with immediate effect.

He said a total of 2,239 factories, 14,551 business premises, 793 construction sites and 293 workers' dormitories were inspected yesterday, with 64 of them ordered to shut for violating the SOP stipulated by the government.

He urged employees to report to the authorities if employers continued to operate without permission or did not provide a workplace that complied with the stipulated SOP.

"To curb the spread of COVID-19, the government will take stern action against any economic sector entrepreneur, especially factories that do not adhere to the SOP or flouted government directives," he said.

The compliance operation (Op Patuh), he added, would also be stepped up to ensure high compliance by business premises and factories as well as increase the awareness of employers that the safety and welfare of workers should always be prioritised if given permission to operate by the government.

Ismail Sabri also announced the implementation of the EMCO in Sabah involving the Seri Maju Apartment, Kota Kinabalu and Kampung Tinusa 2, Sandakan as well as two localities in Tawau, namely the QL Farm Breeder, Jalan Stesen TV and the Onika Quarry workers' quarters.

Four localities in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan have also been placed under the EMCO, namely Taman Chembong Utama; Taman Chembong Jaya; Taman Setia Raja, Mukim Chembong and Taman KSNS, Mukim Pedas.

The EMCO in Sarawak, meanwhile, involves Kampung Garung, Kuching and Kampung Pasir Hilir, Lundu; while in Pahang it involves Pos Iskandar, Bera and Kuala Medang, Lipis.

The implementation of the EMCO has been extended at three localities in Kuala Muda, Kedah, namely Taman Bandar Baru Sungai Lalang, Taman Lembah Permai and Bakar Arang Industrial Area (including Taman Cahaya PKNK).

It has also been extended in Taman Zifa, Bingkul, Beaufort and Kampung Simpangan, Kota Marudu, in Sabah as well as in Kampung Bukit Tanah, Mukim Bukit Jawa, Pasir Puteh, Kelantan.

The implementations and extensions of the EMCO in these areas are from July 19 to Aug 1.

Meanwhile, a total of 433 individuals were arrested for violating the SOP of the PPN yesterday and, of the total, 408 were compounded and 25 remanded, while 39 illegal immigrants were detained and four land vehicles seized through Op Benteng.