Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador said police were prepared should the National Security Council (MKN) announce stricter restrictions, such as the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) in any part of the parliamentary constituency.

“Police will be taking the appropriate action including increasing personnel and tightening control based on orders by MKN. For now, the deployment of police in the area is as usual.

“I will comply with the (emergency) declaration which has resulted in the postponement of the Batu Sapi by-election. I too, am of the opinion that it should be avoided following the spike in Covid-19 cases in Sabah currently,” he told Bernama.

Hamid said the activities of the people in the parliamentary constituency, which is still under the CMCO, is subject to the latest orders by the MKN.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Affendi Buang when contacted by Bernama also shared Hamid’s view.

He said the armed forces would be complying with the SOP set by the government despite an emergency being declared in Batu Sapi.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah this evening declared an emergency in Batu Sapi, thus cancelling the by-election for the parliamentary seat.

It was also reported that the emergency proclamation, based on Clause (1) of Article 150 of the Federal Constitution, was made after Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin presented his advice to the King following a decision by the Cabinet on the matter.