KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's largest palm producing state of Sabah has ordered plantations, mills and refineries in one district to shut amid two weeks of curbs on movement to rein in the coronavirus.

Operations in the district of Kunak were suspended from Tuesday until Oct. 12, the district council said in a notice.

"Kunak is not allowed to operate, including plantations, mills and refinery," Christopher Chai, a general manager of Kwantas Corp based in the Malaysian state on the island of Borneo, told Reuters. "However, owners have appealed."

Sabah, which produces 25% of Malaysia's crude palm output, imposed the curbs in four districts on Monday, after a surge in infections.

(Reporting by Mei Mei Chu; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) ((meifong.chu@thomsonreuters.com; +603-2333-8035; Reuters Messaging: @meixchu on Twitter))