KUCHING, Jan 2: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (Keadilan) Kuching women chief Cherishe Ng calls for the continuation of the Federal government’s aid to relieve the burden of the poor and needy caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ng, in a statement today, said the pandemic has caused detriment to the country’s economy, many businesses are forced to lie idle for all year round and with many more closing down in despair.
“Large enterprises, small and medium industries, including hawkers, and not a single one has been spared and the losses are simply incalculable.
“But the worst hit are none other than the working classes who are either forced to take unpaid leave or laid off completely as employers cut expenses in a desperate move to keep their businesses surviving,” she said.
Ng added the jobless found it particularly hard to make ends meet in the face of the pandemic and a layoff trend.
“Keadilan has not forgotten the hardships of the people however. During the pandemic crisis both the Kuching and Stampin branch of Keadilan have continuously reached out to the poor and needy by handing out relief items such as foods and daily essentials.
“We call upon the Federal government to continue implementing a relief scheme through various means in aid of the poor in the year ahead. As for Keadilan, the relief campaign for the poor will continue in 2021,” she said.
At the same time, Ng also hoped that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government would keep their promise of the “Free Vaccination For All” to all Sarawakians.
“Following the availability of the Covid-19 vaccines, I hope that the GPS government will live up to its promise of “Free Vaccination For All” and get all Sarawakians to receive theirs in the shortest possible time,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ng pointed out that 2020 was neither a good one nor a bad one as far as Keadilan is concerned, and with vigorous internal revamp exercise in the past few months, the party has regained its foothold and is back on track.
According to her, 2021 would most probably be an election year for Sarawak, and having gone through thick and thin, Keadilan is all set to face the challenge of an election and winning the mandate of the rakyat.
“Therefore, I urge fellow Sarawakians to be patient with us, and I urge all to continue supporting the party’s agenda for a better Sarawak. The people in the party may come and go, but the fight remains the same. I need not say much, but will continue to prove through our actions,” she added.
On another note, Ng also conveyed her sincerest condolences to the victims of the Triso ferry tragedy which claimed nine lives yesterday.
“It was not the start of the year that we imagined, but a lesson to be learnt all the same as it highlights the infrastructure problems in Sarawak. Let us ensure our future ferry goers do not undergo the same fate,” she said. — DayakDaily
