Besut district police chief Abdul Rozak Muhammad said work to install the barbed wires in Kampung Lepan Kejor, Kampung Darau-Awek and Kampung Padang Baloh started today at 3.30pm and was completed at 7.30pm.

“The police, the Malaysian armed forces and Rela members were all involved in the work to install the barbed wires this evening.

“Meanwhile, 58 personnel from the three uniformed bodies will be on duty at the localities during the EMCO which starts tomorrow until Feb 27,” he said when inspecting the installation work in Kampung Padang Baloh, here, today.

Three existing roadblocks at the main entry gates to the localities will remain while the motorcycle patrol unit (URB) would guard the rat routes.

“During the EMCO, we will not allow residents to go out of the area except in emergency cases with the permission of the district police chief but this is also subject to the latest directives of the National Security Council.

“The main route to Pasir Akar will be closed to all road users from 12.01am while residents of other villages in Pasir Akar who have businesses in Jerteh must use alternative roads, namely, Jalan Kampong Oh or Jalan Padang Tapong,” he said.

The decision to implement the EMCO at the localities was issued by senior minister for security Ismail Sabri Yaakob following a health ministry report on Covid-19 infections in the three villages.

In a statement, Ismail said 21 positive Covid-19 cases were recorded after 570 screening tests were conducted at the three localities.