No need to crowd bank to check for BPN aid, rep advises Selangau folk

SIBU: Folk in Selangau have been advised to avoid going to the bank in big groups when checking their account status.

Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira said he felt compelled to give the advice after being informed that large crowds had queued at a bank in Selangau on Tuesday, believed to be checking whether the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) aid had been credited into their accounts.

It is learned that some of the people had been standing in line as early as 6am to wait for the bank to open in order to withdraw the aid – under the first phase of BPN – from the automated teller machine.

“The people must remember that we are still under the movement control order (MCO) and should avoid gathering in large numbers.

“Therefore, I would like to advise all Selangau folk to avoid going to the bank in a big group. It is not necessary for you to go to the bank just to check whether the money is inside your account or not.

“I understand we are in need of money at the moment to support our family, but please don’t rush because at the end of day, the money is yours,” he said.

He stressed that it is the responsibility of everyone to break the chain of Covid-19 infection, which meant staying at home during the MCO.

Echoing Gira’s advice was Sibu Rural District Council ( SRDC) chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai, who reminded on the need to practise social distancing even when queuing at the bank to withdraw money.

“I don’t think we can take any chances as Covid-19 virus is very contagious,” he said.

Sempurai said in other parts of Sibu, he had observed banks limiting the number of customers entering their premises at any one time, while also requiring them to maintain a distance of one metre between each other.