FMT was also informed that Pantai Irama was also quiet as no visitors were present, and eateries around the beach were closed as well. The main market at Siti Aishah and other wet markets were said to be closed too.

A resident told FMT that she “had to go all the way to Kota Bharu and Tumpat. Only there I managed to find some shops open. KFC and McDonald’s were also operating.”

Elanna, of Pekan Jelawat, Bachok, said: “Bachok was like a ghost town in the morning. I asked my husband to find nasi pagi (rice with dishes), he went all the way to Gunung and not even one shop was open.

“Strangely, only Bachok was experiencing this (the closed shops). Here at Pantai Sri Tujuh, all the shops are open,” she told FMT.

She needed to go all the way to Tumpat to get daily necessities.

The state government ordered all business premises to remain closed for three days, but eateries and sundry shops were exempted. But even these businesses closed their doors as well, either out of misunderstanding or as a show of respect.

The government order, signed by deputy state secretary Tengku Azmi Tengku Jaafar also said that entertainment shows or sporting events would not be allowed for the 40-day state period of mourning.

Another resident, Nurfatihah, noted that local officials were patrolling the area with loudspeaker announcements to remind people of the state government directive. This was happening at several places such as Bachok.

In an online posting, she said the officials announced: “Ladies and gentlemen, you are not permitted (to operate your businesses today). If it is discovered that your premise is still operating, we will take action by imposing a compound fine of RM500.”

Another resident, Shahera, said her sister did not dare operate her rice stall as she feared action by local authorities. “The local people would have been afraid to open their premises as they feared raids by the authorities,” she said.