Did Tawau council overstep authority by closing markets?

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Tawau Municipal Council's Market Closure Order Deemed Inappropriate by Senior Minister

The Tawau Municipal Council's directive to close various markets and stalls following an enhanced movement control order (EMCO) at Tawau Prison has been deemed inappropriate and incorrect by Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. He clarified that local authorities lack the power to shut down such premises independently, as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) can only be issued by the federal government.
Federal Government Lacks Directive for Market Closures in Tawau

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob explicitly stated that the federal government has issued no directive for the closure of night markets, weekly ‘tamu’, wholesale markets, fruit stalls, and open stalls in Tawau. This assertion directly contradicts the actions taken by the Tawau Municipal Council (MPT), which had reportedly issued a notice for the closure of these establishments.
Local Authorities Cannot Issue Independent SOPs

Ismail Sabri emphasised that local authorities, including the MPT, do not possess the authority to shut down any locality or premises without explicit instruction from the central government. He further elaborated that any Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to movement control must originate from the federal government and be gazetted under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).
EMCO at Tawau Prison Was Locality-Specific

The enhanced movement control order (EMCO) was enforced specifically at Tawau Prison from midnight on September 11 until September 25. This measure was implemented due to a significant increase in Covid-19 cases within the prison facility, with the number of positive cases reportedly reaching three digits. Ismail Sabri underscored that the EMCO's application was confined to the prison locality and did not extend to necessitate the closure of schools, mosques, markets, or other premises situated outside the prison area.

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Did Tawau council overstep authority by closing markets?

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