Palm plantations and mills in Felda Sahabat, operated by the world's largest crude palm oil producer, FGV Holdings, would be temporarily suspended and public movements banned as authorities carry out coronavirus containment efforts, a district police chief, Nasri Mansor, said.

The directive will remain in force until all residents in the community were tested and disinfection was completed, Bernama quoted Nasri as saying.

Sabah accounts for about 25% of palm oil production in Malaysia.

The world's second-largest palm producer on Saturday reported a total of 5,305 positive coronavirus cases, 88 of whom have died.

(Reporting by Mei Mei Chu; Editing by Robert Birsel)