Suhakam hosts virtual dialogue on MCO challenges by communities
KUCHING: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) hosted a virtual dialogue on issues and challenges faced by the communities, particularly the indigenous people in Sarawak and Sabah during the Movement Control Order (MCO) on April 23.
Suhakam commissioner Assoc Prof Dr Madeline Berma said in a statement yesterday non-government organisations (NGOs), community leaders, academicians as well as representatives from the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) a virtual dialogue took part in the discussion.
“It also served to discuss the roles of NGOs and civil societies during the MCO as well as provide recommendations to mitigate the impact of the MCO on these communities,” Madeline said.
During the virtual dialogue, Madeline said that five main issues had been identified, namely indigenous people without citizenship status in Sarawak and how they had been excluded from relief assistance; fear of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19); challenges faced by NGOs; the closure of schools and approaching e-learning; and MCO guidelines specifically in the rural areas.
“The MCO has had a different impact on the communities depending on their location, be it in the cities, urban areas, rural areas and the interior. For those living in cities and urban areas, the issues were related to the loss of jobs, reduced income, retrenchment and job uncertainty.
“As for those in the rural areas and interior, the problems were related to the loss of cash income, difficulties in accessing Bantuan Prihatin Nasional and Sayangku
Sarawak aid packages due to the MCO requirements. There was also delay in relief assistance.
“This caused many to become concerned that the MCO would be prolonged and the financial support would not be able to sustain their livelihood. In addition, there was an issue of unequal access to government support due to the outdated database of the B40 and needy group,” Madeline stated.
She added that many in the rural and indigenous communities were increasingly concerned about the spread of Covid-19 and questioned whether the rural healthcare in Sarawak could adequately respond to the spread of the virus.
“The government had launched a prevention campaign about the MCO, washing hands and social distancing in indigenous languages on local radio stations. But it is not enough.
“Sarawak is home to over 40 ethnic groups and as such, the minorities such as the Penan, Punan Bah, Seping and Ukit people still lack daily information in their local dialects about the pandemic,” Madeline lamented.
She added that NGOs also faced many challenges during the MCO period, as their support was interrupted due to interdistrict travel being restricted by the government and community meetings were strictly prohibited without the government's consent.
“Donations also started drying up and NGOs were struggling to stay afloat financially,” Madeline said.
On school closures and elearning, Madeline said that there was poor internet connectivity and limited availability of teaching and learning devices to support e-learning facilities, particularly in the rural areas and interior.
In addition, some of the MCO guidelines and restrictions had made it difficult for those in the rural areas.
“For example, the interdistrict and 10-kilometre travel restrictions have made it difficult for communities in the interior to seek medical treatment, buy necessities and access banking facilities,” Madeline said.