More resources, allocation needed to cope with pandemic – KKCCCI

KOTA KINABALU: Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) president, Datuk Michael Lui, has urged the people to observe the statewide Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in Sabah which has been extended for another 14 days until November 9 in effort to flatten the Covid-19 curve as the infections kept soaring.

At the same time, he hoped that the Federal Government would provide more resources and allocation, including hospital beds, personal protective equipment (PPE), medical supplies and healthcare personnel, for Sabah to better cope with the third wave of infection.

He said the Covid-19 pandemic has taken a huge toll on the economy and livelihood of the people.

With the extension of the CMCO, Lui hoped that the government would provide assistance to the people who were affected by the pandemic as well as cashflow and financing support to hawkers and companies in Sabah to prevent individuals and companies from going bankrupt.

For instance, extending the loan repayment moratorium for at least three months in CMCO areas, increasing the existing amount of financing, reducing the interest rate for financing, ease the access to financing facility, expedite the approval process and loan disbursement, extend the wage subsidy programme for six months and discount on electricity bills.

"The third wave of infections is seemingly unstoppable.

"The daily Covid-19 cases keep on hitting new highs, which is a very worrying trend," he said in a statement yesterday.

Lui said the government should seek more effective ways to combat the pandemic and revive Sabah's economy for the wellbeing of the country and people.

If the government sought to revise the standard operating procedures (SOPs), he said the decision should balance between public health and economic impact.

In addition, he said the government must provide clear SOP and iron out any possible issues before making a public announcement to avoid ambiguity and confusion.

He stressed that the Covid-19 pandemic has raged across the globe and Sabah was not spared.

Lui said the people must remain vigilant and take precautions against Covid-19 as the number of infections was still running high with the emergence of multiple clusters.

"Everyone, including leaders, enforcement units and the general public, must play their roles and comply with the SOPs to stem the spread of the virus."