Batu Lintang rep questions effectiveness of MCO, claims Sarawak’s daily cases only down 10 pct compared to 26 pct in other states

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See highlighting the daily Covid-19 figures at the state and national levels.

KUCHING (June 11): The Movement Control Order (MCO) lockdown has not brought about the desired result to stem the tide of the Covid-19 pandemic as the state only managed to bring down the daily figure by less than 10 per cent while elsewhere in Malaysia the figure was down by 26 per cent, said Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) Southern Zone Taskforce head See Chee How.

During the taskforce’s Live Facebook session tonight, the Batu Lintang assemblyman said that Sarawak had announced the enforcement of this current MCO from May 29 to June 11 on May 27 but after the Prime Minister announced on May 28 that a national MCO would be enforced from June 1 to 14, the state had decided on May 31 to extend the MCO to June 14.

“On May 28, the day prior to the enforcement of this MCO, Sarawak had recorded 698 new Covid-19 positive cases, and a cumulative 45,436 cases. At the national level, there were 8,290 new cases on that day and the cumulative figure stood at 549,514.

“On June 10, 13 days after the MCO lockdown in Sarawak, we have 631 new Covid-19 positive cases, and the cumulative figure has grown to 53,631 cases. On the national front, there were 5,671 new cases and the cumulative cases was numbered at 639,562,” he noted.

See, who is also PSB presidential council member, said that with an increase of 8,195 new infected cases in 13 days, the average was 630 cases a day.

The graph that compares the daily Covid-19 figures.

“On the national front (besides Sarawak), there was an increase of 81,853 new cases in the same period, hence 6,296 cases a day.

“Unfortunately, for Sarawak today, we have 699 new Covid-19 positive cases, and the cumulative figure has grown to 54,330 cases. It would have pushed up the figure to more than that of May 28,” he highlighted.

See questioned the effectiveness of the MCO since it did not manage to bring down the numbers of new cases in the case.

“What is the purpose of this MCO? It is a let-down because it seems clear that we are unable to stem or reverse the tide of the pandemic, and we are unable to accelerate the performing and execution of measures to manage and get back on top of the pandemic.

“There is no exit plan or strategy. There is simply no political will and leadership to do the necessary,” he lamented.

See said there is no one to blame but the state’s own policy decision, which smacks of complacency and populism.

“While the federal government took the tough measure to prohibit family visits for Hari Raya Aidilfitri along with all social events under the MCO to address the rise in the Covid-19 cases in the country, Sarawak had decided that we are able to enforced our “strict” Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) on family visits for the Hari Raya and Gawai festivities.

“Together with Sabah, we have accounted for almost one-third of the 60 festivity clusters and are still counting,” he said.

See urged the state government to make earlier decision on whether the present MCO will be extended after this weekend in accordance with the federal government’s decision, and to be ready with measures which will mitigate the impacts caused by any prolonged restrictions.

“This time, the Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance Package (BKSS 6.0) must be revised to make financial provisions to assist the State’s business sectors.

“Sarawak can make use of our strong financial strength, means and competency to help all those business sectors to ensure that our business and industrial sectors and hence Sarawak’s economic recovery and revival will be faster and stronger than all others in Malaysia,” he said.

See said the state government must take care of the local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly those business and service sectors that are adversely affected during this trying time, to ensure that the state can maintain and strengthen strong business and economic underpinning.

“First and foremost, we must assist these SME and the local industrialists to maintain their employees and workers to sustain the salaries and wages of their employees to make sure that their employees and workers can stay employed and the livelihood of these Sarawakians are safeguarded.

“I must therefore reiterate the call and appeal to the Sarawak government to immediately devise the much needed job-support scheme to fund the Sarawakian private sector salaries and wages to assist employers to sustain the salaries and wages of their employees,” he said.

He believes through the concerted effort of the government and the private sector, SMEs and industries, the state can mitigate the economic downturn, sustain the SMEs and industries, as well as safeguard employments and the people’s livelihoods.

“We need a Sarawak road map to end this pandemic in Sarawak and the state government must have the foresight and provide leadership in the exit plan and execute the strategies for the state’s economic recovery and growth and the well-being of all Sarawakian families,” he said.

Also participating in the session were PSB publicity secretary Liu Thian Leong, and Southern Zone Taskforce members Tan Kay Hok and Datuk John Lau Pang Heng.