THE Sarawak legislature has passed an ordinance to “extend” the relief measures under the federal Temporary Measures for Reducing the Impact of Covid-19 Act 2020 for the state. 

The federal act passed by Parliament on August 25 and gazetted on October 23 applies only to the extent where federal laws are applicable to the state, and “where state laws (that) have been declared as federal laws”.

Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah Embas said the state law would complement the federal law and provide further temporary relief from obligations under various state ordinances not covered by the Covid-19 act.

He said among the state laws that are affected but not covered by the federal act are the Native Courts Ordinance, 1992; the Local Authorities Ordinance, 1996; the Land Use (Control of Prescribed Trading Activities) Ordinance, 1997; the Wildlife Protection Ordinance, 1998; the National Parks and Nature Reserves Ordinance, 1998; the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance, 1999; the State Fisheries Ordinance, 2003; the Minerals Ordinance, 2004; the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Ordinance, 2013 and Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Regulations, 2014; the Forests Ordinance, 2015; and the Land Code.

“The immediate objective of the bill was to modify the relevant provisions in the Ordinances referred to in the schedule and to assist those faced with difficulties in addressing the inability to perform contractual obligations and addressing the inability to perform statutory duties or obligations or to conduct statutory meetings – during the imposition of the movement control orders.” 

Uggah said the bill also covers any statutory duties or obligations of any authority so that the people will continue to receive the best service possible. 

Giving as an example, the Charitable Trusts Ordinance, 1994, which makes it mandatory for every Board of Trustees to submit documentation on or before March 31 each year, Uggah said this date fell during movement control order (MCO) this year, the bill allows an extension of time for submission of those documents. 

The bill also allows for alternative arrangements in regards to convening, holding or conducting statutory meetings, and to conduct them online.

The Bill will come into force on March 18 and will remain in force for two years from the date of its publication. 

However, Uggah said in the event the pandemic continues and the state government is of the opinion that this law should remain in force, the chief minister may make the necessary orders for its extension. – November 9, 2020.