Major KK malls except Imago to close

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Imago mall in Kota Kinabalu looks empty yesterday after the government announced a 14-day Movement Control Order which takes effect today. Its management however announced yesterday that operations would continue as usual.-Bernama photo

KOTA KINABALU: Shopping malls in and around the city centre have announced temporary closures beginning today till March 31, in compliance with the restricted movement order announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday night.

Establishments such as Suria Sabah Shopping Mall, Centre Point Sabah Shopping Mall, Karamunsing Complex, Wisma Merdeka Shopping Complex, KK Plaza, City Mall, 1Borneo Hypermall and the International Technology and Commercial Centre (ITCC), Penampang, took to social media to announce temporary closures.

Suria Sabah announced on its Facebook page that the mall would be closed for operation during the period, including City Grocer supermarket and pharmacies.

However, the car park is to remain open as usual. Wisma Merdeka and ITCC Penampang also announced similar closures.

Meanwhile, Centre Point announced that it would be closed during the period as well, but establishments offering basic necessities are to remain operational such as supermarkets, banks, pharmacies, convenience stores and other essentials.

City Mall, Karamunsing Complex, KK Plaza and 1Borneo Hypermall made similar announcements, that the malls would be closed but the public could still access basic supplies, especially groceries.

Comments from netizens were mostly positive as they agreed with the temporary closures, applauding the malls for acting swiftly.

However, some believed that all operations should be halted completely and said even essential services such as pharmacies, supermarkets and banks should be closed as the virus could still be transmitted then.

Others inquired about rental reduction during this period, or reductions in season parking or maintenance for tenants.

Back in February, Imago Shopping Mall announced it would be halving rental for all tenants from February 1 to March 31. However, the management announced yesterday that operations would commence as usual.

“Please be advised that Imago will remain operational and accessible to the public in support of the various essential services such as supermarket, pharmacies, convenience stores, etc, available at Imago. Operating hours will remain from 10am – 10pm daily till further notice,” read an announcement on the official Imago Facebook and Instagram pages.