Rep wants additional roadblock in Kapit
KAPIT: The police have been called on to set up an additional roadblock at Mujong, near Baleh bridge, to prevent outsiders entering Kapit from rural Baleh or Bintulu.
Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang said marine police should also be stationed at Semarang, Ngemah to prevent any longboat or private speedboat from ferrying outsiders into Kapit.
“The feedback received is unauthorised longboats and private chartered speedboats came into Kapit undetected. We don’t want this to happen again. The marine police and SRB (Sarawak Rivers Board) should take action to prevent any boat entering Kapit except cargo barges,” he said on Monday after the Kapit Division Disaster Management Committee meeting.
“From Sibu side, more or less, we have a strong grip but there is no roadblock in upper Kapit. I urge the police to set up a roadblock along Mujong road just before reaching the Baleh bridge. This is important to stop people from ulu Baleh from coming down. My concern is people from Bintulu traveling through Tatau-Sangang off road to Merit, then into Kapit. By having the roadblock at Mujong it will effectively monitor the movement.”
He pointed out that all person under investigation (PUI) cases here have been those returning to Kapit.
“What happened is with the MCO, many workers in Bintulu and Miri, working as casual workers were laid off. Since they have no income, surely they would return to Kapit. Now, this is the problem — if they use the Tatau-Sangan off road to Kapit and return to their respective longhouses then are later detected positive for the virus.
“Big problem; it would spread to the whole longhouse. Then we lose control. Our efforts to prevent the spread would fail.
“Now the importance of the roadblock is to make sure they are health screened and advised to practise self-quarantine for 14 days.
“Those with fever or any symptoms should immediately be referred to the hospital,” he stressed.
Nyabong also suggested the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) assist the police and stressed all those manning roadblocks must follow strict procedures.
Meanwhile, no inter-district is allowed from today (April 1) until April 14, including between Kapit and Song.
Those requiring to do so urgently need to obtain a permit from the Kapit Resident’s office.