SARAWAK has yet to decide on whether to hold Ramadan bazaars, as not all decisions made by the federal government are necessarily applicable to the state, Sarawak Housing and Local Government Minister Dr Sim Hui Kian said.

Sim, who held the state’s daily Covid-19 media briefing today, said the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee would discuss if and how Ramadan bazaars could be held, with an announcement to be made soon.

“We have autonomy,” said the minister who also holds a watching brief on health matters for the state cabinet.

Putrajaya has decided not to allow Ramadan bazaars in any form, including the “drive-thru” and “pack and pick” methods that were mooted as alternatives.

The fasting month begins on April 23, while the nationwide movement control order (MCO) ends on April 28.

Sim said the Ministry of International Trade and Industry may make decisions on what industries could resume operations during the MCO, while the Health Ministry may make decisions concerning Covid-19 fight, but in Sarawak final decisions will be made by the state’s disaster management committee.

“Whether Sarawak adopts (federal decisions) or varies them, will ultimately depend on the committee. We have the authority to do that.”

He said some of the decisions made in Putrajaya might be not applicable in Sarawak as the situation is not the same.

“We are a very large state and our situation is very different.”

He said Sarawak could shut its borders with its neighbours Brunei and Kalimantan to curb transmissions.

For the fifth straight day, there were no Covid-19 deaths in the state, although the number of new positive cases detected rose slightly from eight yesterday to 10 today, bringing the total to 397.

Of the 10, seven have been admitted to Sarawak General Hospital in Kuching, two to Miri Hospital and one to Sibu Hospital. – April 17, 2020.