Express bus operators threaten to protest at CM's Office
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Express Bus Operators and Drivers Association (Seboc) will demonstrate in front of the Chief Minister's Office if the inter-district travel ban in the state is not lifted.
Its president, Datuk Donald Hanafi, said the association had decided to force the State Government to lift the ban to allow the operation of express buses, during its meeting on Wednesday.
“If the State Government ignores or refuses to discuss with the association, then a demonstration in front of the Chief Minister's
Office will be held to open the eyes of the State Government.
“The demonstration will include more than 100 buses along with the drivers and personnel,” said Donald in a statement yesterday.
When contacted by The Borneo Post, he said the association is giving the State Government six days to respond.
He stressed that the State Government should have followed the new directive set by the National Security Council to allow inter-district travel starting March 5.
“Why didn't this happen in Sabah?” asked Hanafi.
He revealed that the financial loss suffered by the bus operators and drivers in Sabah had severely worsened due to the ban – up to a point where some them could not even sustain themselves anymore due to loss of income.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Tuesday announced that the inter-district travel ban in the entire country would be lifted, except in Sabah.
He explained that the decision was made based on the request from the State Government.
However, the decision to not lift the ban in Sabah had drawn criticisms from certain quarters in the state.