SPA wants S’wak to implement MCO
Sarawak Patriots Association (SPA) wants Sarawak to follow the rest of the country in implementing the Movement Control Order (MCO).
This is so since the association have voiced their support of the federal government’s decision to place the country under a MCO until June 7.
“SPA hopes that SDMC will follow suit and implement the MCO in Sarawak which is necessary due to the increasing Covid-19 cases,” said their secretary David Hii Chin Loung in a statement yesterday.
He said the MCO was inevitable due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the country, and the government had no other alternative but to impose another round of MCO to contain the spread.
They, however, said the announcement of the latest MCO was ‘shocking’ to the public.
“There was no prior indication made by the relevant agencies particularly the National Security Council and Health Ministry on the matter,” said Hii.
SPA is also of the opinion that the federal and state governments should have more proper coordination when it comes to announcing the MCO.
Hii said Sarawakians would have to wait for the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) to meet the following day before they could make an announcement on their stand.
“The response should be immediate rather than make Sarawakians having to wait,” said Hii.
The purpose of the MCO is to limit physical interaction. However, the SPA said there might be some negative effects on existing communities and businesses.
“The ‘no-dine in’ rule will have a negative impact on the food and beverage industry as they will most likely see a drop in sales.
“Hopefully, everyone will look at the bigger picture; to contain the spread of the virus,” said Hii.
He added that although the economic sector would remain open during the MCO, he hoped the Covid-19 relief packages would be made available again to assist the people and businesses.