SARAWAK will not be rushing headlong to follow Putrajaya’s decision to conditionally reopen nearly all economic sectors and businesses during the movement control order (MCO) from May 4.

Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah said the state disaster management committee, which he chairs, needed to consult Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg first.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, in his Labour Day address to the nation this morning, announced most economic activities would be allowed to resume operation but in a controlled and cautious manner, while enforcing strict health conditions.

Uggah told reporters at Kuching International Airport today he had sought an appointment with the chief minister to discuss the issue.

“We need to deliberate the conditional MCO,” he said.

Uggah echoed the comments he made on the Ministry of International Trade and Industry’s Wednesday decision to allow companies to operate at full operational capacity, adding Sarawak would decide what was best for its people.

“It should favour our people’s well-being.”

He said he will only announce Sarawak’s position after his meeting with Abang Johari.

Sarawak has to decide if the industries Miti had approved to operate during the MCO could operate at full capacity within its borders.

Uggah said the chief minister had informed the prime minister on Sarawak’s position at Wednesday’s National Security Council meeting in Putrajaya.

“Local rules shall apply,” he said.

Uggah was at the airport to observe how the authorities were managing the return of students from the peninsula and overseas.

Among them were 287 students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) in Perak. – May 1, 2020.