Priscilla Lau
SIBU (June 8): The State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has been called on to allow all businesses an equal chance of finding a livelihood.
Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) secretary Priscilla Lau suggested all businesses should be allowed to operate subject to proper and clearer standard operating procedures (SOPs).
She pointed out the people have been cooperative and waited patiently for the day when life could return to some sort of normalcy.
“However, as the days of waiting turn into months of endless lockdowns of one kind of another, each with its own set of SOPs, the people are starting to question what are the measures taken by the state and federal governments that will assist each one to smoothly transition through and out of each lockdown,” she said in a statement today.
Lau said many businesses were adversely affected and many have had to close for good after going through 15 months of hardship.
“Even established franchises like PappaRich were recently reported as having to wind up,” she said.
Lau claimed the government’s economic stimulus packages have not directly assist many, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that have not received financial assistance after the initial six months of salary subsidies.
Pointing out that since a complete lockdown is impossible due to the lack of funds to subsidise everyone and since half-hearted lockdowns have failed as Covid-19 cases continue to rise, the government must speed up the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines for all Sarawakians.
Lau said there should not be any more delays and excuses in obtaining the vaccines and opening up the economy to allow all to survive.
According to her, countries that are vaccinating their citizens have reported a sharp and quick drop in new Covid-19 cases and greatly reduced or even zero Covid-19 deaths.
“However, to date, only a small percentage of Sarawakians have been vaccinated and these are mostly senior citizens,” she lamented.
She pointed out National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NCIP) Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has said state governments may purchase their own vaccines.
“So has the Sarawak government placed any orders for any vaccines?” she asked.