Douglas Uggah Embas
KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has given a pat on the back to villages that erected warning signs to keep outsiders out to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in their community.
“This is a positive development,” the state disaster relief committee chairman said when asked about the action taken by the villages during a press conference which was streamed live on Facebook this evening.
“This shows that they are aware that what the government is doing is good for all and they want to play their part to ensure that their people will not be infected because most villages are very far away.”
Among the village that has erected a warning sign is Rumah Bajing in Batu Niah near Miri, which also imposed a fine of RM2,000 on outsiders who enter their longhouse.
The Longhouse chief Bajing Lingga had told The Borneo Post yesterday that they were very serious about keeping the disease out as the village had over 300 people.
Uggah also urged Sarawakians not to return to their villages during the Movement Control Order which is in effect until March 31, 2020.
“This is not only in your own interest but also that of your family. We should sacrifice some discomfort now to stop the virus. Hopefully, we do not reach the level that we have to lockdown like some other cities in the world,” he said.
Asked to comment on the Federal government’s decision to deploy the Malaysian Armed Forces to help the police in enforcing the MCO, Uggah said there had been improvement in the level of compliance here on the MCO but the state government will abide by Putrajaya’s decision.
Senior minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob had announced earlier tthat the all three branches of the army will be mobilised from Sunday onwards.
Covid-19 has infected some 900 Malaysians and claimed two lives so far.