KUDAT: Everyday Rungus men from Kampung Tinangol gather in a small group and make their rounds in the village during the movement control order (MCO).
They work in shifts, around the clock to ensure the village folks minimise their movement and comply with the order. They also guard the main entrance to the village to prevent outsiders from coming in.
Speaking to New Straits Times, village chief Mangambai Sasam said they had 34 men volunteering under the Rukun Tetangga's voluntary patrol scheme.
"We patrol day and night. We also have the body temperature reading device to screen villagers as well as hand sanitisers and face masks.
"The villagers have taken the initiative to collect funds to get this equipment as a precaution since the MCO was enforced," said the 61-year-old rubber tapper when contacted today.
Yesterday, the state health department recorded 238 Covid-19 cases, with additional 13 new infections. The new cases were recorded in Kota Kinabalu (5), Kinabatangan (3), Penampang (2), Tuaran (1), Beaufort (1), and Kunak (1).
So far, nine districts remain coronavirus free including Kudat.
"Although our area has no Covid-19 cases, we will not take that for granted because the virus is invisible. The situation may change, and this keeps us on our toes.
"As long as the MCO is compulsory, we will do our best to make sure our people follow the rule and are safe from the virus,” said Sasam, adding the villagers’ compliance to instruction was at the highest level.
Kampung Tinangol has 820 people most of whom are Rungus. There are three long houses with 25 doors in each house while single houses are located close to each other.
Sasam said many of the folks are farmers but some of them depend on tourism as a source of income.
"Many are losing their income as they cannot go out to work. So we have to be very economical in our spending by buying only the necessary.
"As a rubber tapper, I do hope this MCO will not prolong," he said, adding that the village has yet to receive food aid from the state government.
Meanwhile, 61-year-old Nonjiring Mantuku said she has been keeping herself busy doing house chores and repairing her Pinakol, a traditional handmade beaded necklace.
Prior to the Covid-19 outbreak and MCO, Mantuku would gather with other Rungus women at a long hut to make Pinakol for visiting tourists.
"Now I can't even make a new necklace because I have run out of materials. I can't go out to get them because shops are closed. So I just repair my old damaged Pinakol using leftover beads," she said.
Mantuku, whose husband died in 2018, said life was challenging as she has to care for her family but they were coping.
"Since the MCO, I only went out twice to get my medicine supply in the town. There is a sundry shop nearby for us to buy rice, canned food, and other things.
"Our meal consists of rice, sweet potatoes, and eggs. Sometimes we will ask someone to help supply fish or chicken.
"Some are facing real hard times. With no money, they only eat rice with a bit of salt. However, we do help each other when necessary," she said.
Mantuku also praised the frontliners for working hard to contain the spread of Covid-19, adding that the security forces have also come to make their rounds in the village and advise the people to look after themselves.
"My daughter works as a nurse at the village health clinic. When she comes home, she will immediately shower and wash her clothes. I will do the same too. In times like this, we all have to shoulder responsibility to make sure we practice clean and healthy habits," she said.