KUCHING, June 17: DAP Sarawak’s initiative to provide 100 free rides to vaccination centres (PPVs) for people in Kuching is just another publicity stunt, claims SUPP Youth secretary-general Milton Foo.
Foo of Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) said that it was just like the previous initiative which the Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak started last month to help food stall operators at iCom Square.
“But there are so many other hawkers who also need cash aid. This is mere publicity stunt when they can’t even honour their election pledges of giving out cash from ‘oil bonus’ to every Sarawakian annually from 2018 to 2020 before the PH (Pakatan Harapan) government collapsed,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Foo was referring to the DAP’s proposal to distribute 10 per cent of the total sum out of the 20 per cent oil royalties to be returned to Sarawak when PH captured Putrajaya.
“The people of Sarawak would have received at least RM6,000 by last year and not only 100 persons who can only benefit from the so-called free transportation to get vaccines,” he added.
Foo also advised DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen to get his facts right in regards to the Covid-19 vaccination rate in countries like the UK, the US, Australia and New Zealand so as not to mislead the people.
“It was not 50-60 per cent as claimed. In Australia, only 18 per cent of the population have received at least one dose of vaccine, which was less than that achieved in Mexico, Turkey or Morocco.
“Moreover, with only 2.5 per cent of Australian citizens fully vaccinated, the country’s efforts are below global average, according to the Johns Hopkins University figures. Thus, Australia alone does not have 50 to 60 percent as claimed by Chong.
“The UK borderline is 44 per cent fully vaccinated, New Zealand covered 15.5 per cent with at least one dose and the US has 44 per cent fully vaccinated,” he revealed in sharing several international reports including Our World in Data.
Foo remarked that every practising lawyer including Chong should know that if this were to happen in court, giving false facts was an attempt to mislead the judge.
“This will amount to conduct unbecoming of counsel which could be liable for contempt of court and professional misconduct which may also be subjected to disciplinary action,” he said.
Meanwhile, DAP Sarawak has launched an initiative in collaboration with the Kuching Taxi Association to provide free rides for 100 people, especially those with transportation problems to get to PPVs on June 15.
Chong said that the initiative was to assist not only people but also taxi drivers whose incomes were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions.
He added that the initiative will start off with 100 rides and would continue if more people require the services.
Chong also hoped that more people would come forward and get vaccinated so that Sarawak can achieve its 80 per cent target by the end of August.
He emphasised that life can return to normal and restrictions can be eased once herd immunity is achieved such as in countries like the UK, the US, China, Australia and New Zealand where their vaccination rate has surpassed 50 to 60 per cent of the population.— DayakDaily
