THE downward trend of new Covid-19 cases in Sarawak has not been manipulated, as alleged by certain parties, Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah Embas said.

He said certain people have made claims on social media that the figures were made up by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak government to substantiate the move to proceed with the much-anticipated 12th Sarawak state elections.

“The figures are reported daily by the Ministry of Health. The state government has no hand in this. Some netizens are accusing the government of manipulation in justifying its decision for the state elections to be held soon,” he said.

Uggah was speaking at the Agriculture Community Outreach Programme at the Kampung Long Bemang community hall in Baram, which was also attended by Baram MP Anyie Ngau and GPS incumbent for the Telang Usan seat, Dennis Ngau.

“The state government is right in calling for the (state) elections now. We have feared for the emergence of new variants besides the monsoon season in the state expected from January to February next year if we wait until next year,” he said.

Sarawak recorded 239 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, 192 (Wednesday), 171 (Thursday), 144 (yesterday) and 137 (today), and Uggah attributed the downward trend to the successful implementation of the state vaccination programme, where 90.5% of adults have completed their vaccination, representing 75.5% of its total population.

In addition, he said, 634,684 people have received booster doses to date.

Despite this success, Uggah said, everyone in Sarawak should continue to comply with the standard operating procedures to curb the spread of Covid-19, in particular during the elections.

“We must protect ourselves in order to protect our loved ones and all Sarawak people,” he said.

The Election Commission has fixed December 6 as nomination day for the state elections, with early voting to take place on December 14 and polling day on December 18. – Bernama, November 27, 2021.