KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah must follow the standard operating procedures (SOP) decided by the National Security Council (NSC).
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said no state should make their own set of SOP while the country is still observing the Movement Control Order (MCO) under Phase 1 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
He confirmed that a representative from the Sabah state government had been informed of the matter during the NSC special meeting last night.
"We also informed them that Sabah is no different from any other state in the country.
"Sabah cannot (have their own SOP) while other states follow the SOP set by the NSC," he told reporters at the Tuanku Mizan Military Hospital, here, today.
Ismail Sabri, who is also Senior Defence Minister, was commenting on Sabah allowing dine-ins, several sporting activities and the reopening of several economic activities in the state, effective today.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor had reportedly said yesterday the decision was made following the implementation of Phase One of the National Recovery Plan, announcing that part of Sabah's MCO 3.0 SOP had been modified.
Among others, the state government had announced that it would be allowing roadside stalls selling vegetables, seafood and fruits to reopen, and allowing hair saloons to operate.
Non-contact sporting and recreational activities such as exercise, golf, fishing and cycling was also allowed.
He had also in his statement yesterday said that dine-ins would be permitted in the state beginning today.
Ismail Sabri said SOP can only be tightened, not relaxed.
"(SOP) cannot be different. If every state made their own SOP, it will be confusing," he added.
While operating hours for restaurants and food operators had been extended from 6am to 10pm, no dine-ins are allowed under the NSC's current rules.