By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, May 31: Asymptomatic Covid-19 cases have been the cause of sporadic infections in the community, leading the State government to resort to drastic Covid-19 preventive measures to break the chain of infections.
In the midst of batting the Covid-19 pandemic in Sarawak, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg called on the Dayaks to remain vigilant during the upcoming Gawai festival.
“Most of the recent Covid-19 cases were asymptomatic thus causing sporadic infections in the community without the virus carrier realising it and providing a challenge for the State to break the chain of the Covid-19 infections,” said Abang Johari.
Abang Johari thus apologised to the Dayaks for those who could not return to their hometowns to celebrate the occasion due to the interzone travelling restriction.
As an additional preventive measure to curb Covid-19 transmissions, Abang Johari said he has instructed the State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion to ban the issuing of cockfighting licences to reduce the opportunity for coronavirus transmission during the Gawai festival.
He explained that the move is necessary for the safety and health of the public although the decision was not a popular one. He noted the decision to allow visiting only on the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri was also not a popular one among the Muslims but it had to be made in order to control the Covid-19 situation in Sarawak.
“I believe it is not an issue for us to stay at home if there are no important matters to deal with outside the house.
“Nonetheless, what caused the (Covid-19) clusters is the organising of social events for various reasons at respective residences.
“Recently, a Mother’s Day celebration triggered a cluster of coronavirus (cases) among family members,” he said in his Hari Gawai Dayak message in conjunction with the festival which falls on June 1 and 2.
Abang Johari who is also the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman gave his assurance the State government is doing its best to manage the Covid-19 situation in Sarawak.
He revealed that the State government has also spent a total of RM242 million to fight Covid-19 including the cost of quarantine, supply of food, logistics and purchase of equipment.
He added that the State government has also provided financial assistance under the five special assistance packages known as Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 1.0 to 5.0 to a total of RM3 billion to reduce the financial burden faced by the people due to Covid-19.
“The GPS government has done its best for the rakyat when the State and country is battling Covid-19.
“I dare to say that there is no State which allocated financial assistance amounting to RM2.6 billion from BKSS 1.0 to 5.0, no State which funds the cost of quarantine for its people and no State which procures its own vaccine other than Sarawak,” he added.
Abang Johari thus reminded the Dayaks to stay vigilant and always abide by standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent the spread of Covid-19 during Gawai, even though they may be celebrating only with family members.
He noted that like the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration recently, this is the second year that the Gawai festival is celebrated in a subdued manner.
Despite this, he hoped the Dayak community could enjoy the festival with family members and abide by the SOPs to curb the transmission of the coronavirus in Sarawak.
“I wish (the Dayak community) Selamat Gawai Dayak, Gayu Guru, Gerai Nyamai, Lantang Senang Nguan Menua,” he added. — DayakDaily
