Sarawak DCM hints at reservations over Covid-19 army deployment

Desmond Davidson Desmond Davidson Updated 6 years ago · Published on 20 Mar 2020 10:31PM · 2 Comments

Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah Embas has hinted at reservations that mobilising the army is not necessary to enforce the Covid-19 movement-control order. – YouTube pic, March 20, 2020.

SARAWAK’S deputy chief minister seemed to have suggested that there is no need for the army to be deployed to help the police enforce the Covid-19 movement-control order (MCO) in the state.

In his Covid-19 media conference this evening, Douglas Uggah Embas, who also chairs the State Disaster Management Committee, said compliance in the state seems to have improved compared to the MCO’s first day on Wednesday.

“I believe KL (Putrajaya) will make a decision based on feedback from the state,” he said, adding that Sarawak will abide to the federal government’s decision.

He again appealed for Sarawakians to stay home during the MCO period.

“Let’s not reach the stage where we need to have a lockdown. We don’t want a lockdown.”

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said earlier today that the army will be deployed from 12.01am Sunday to help the police enforce the MCO despite protests from lawyers and veterans’ group Patriot.

On reports that some longhouses are no longer welcoming visitors over virus fears, Uggah said it’s a “good sign” as it shows support of the government’s social distancing policy and movement restrictions.

He said people in rural areas are very much aware of the pandemic and the measures the government is taking to stop its spread.

“It’s for the good of all. Each one of us has to play our role to safeguard the wellbeing of our relatives and loved ones.”

Uggah said as many of these longhouses are in remote areas and far from the nearest hospitals, an outbreak in the interiors could be calamitous to the people there.

One such longhouse is Rumah Bajing in Batu Niah near Miri.

The 51-door longhouse has erected a signboard saying it will fine trespassers RM2,000.

A longhouse in Batu Niah, near Miri, Sarawak is prohibiting visitors from outside the community for fear of the Covid-19 pandemic. – The Malaysian Insight pic, March 20, 2020.

Meanwhile, Kuching City North mayor Junaidi Reduan said all food and beverages premises he checked on were aware of the requirement to close by 8pm every day until March 31.

However, he was stumped when he read a notice at a coffee shop at Demak commercial centre saying they will reopen at 4am.

The 8pm closure directive by the state Housing and Local Government Ministry did not state the reopening time. – March 20, 2020.

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Comments

  • Well done to Tuai Rumah, JKKK and members of Rumah Bajing community. You are setting a very good example for other communities to follow.

    Posted 6 years ago by No Gostan · Reply

  • Our soldiers are meant for national defence and should never be used to enforce domestic policies. The PN government has abused its power.

    Posted 6 years ago by Henry Lau · Reply