KUCHING, May 18: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng has reported himself for violating the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) after realising that having a small birthday lunch constituted a breach of the law.
In a statement today, Wee made a public apology as he admitted that it was wrong of him to allow the small gathering to have taken place.
“Earlier (today), in between work meetings at MBKS (Headquarters), my friends decided to surprise me with a simple birthday lunch.
“I then realised that a simple lunch could be seen as a birthday celebration,” he explained.
Admitting that there was no excuse for his action and even though it may have slipped his mind, he decided to set things right and took full responsibility by getting the MBKS Enforcement team to issue him a compound.
“I shall use my own personal money to pay for this fine.
“I am sorry to all Kuchingites, this should not have happened and I promise you it will not happen again.
“I humbly seek for your forgiveness,” he said.
Earlier today, an individual has shared photos on his social media of delivering some food to send well wishes to Wee at the MBKS Headquarters for his birthday.
The photos which also showed Wee and other staff enjoying the food with compliance to physical distancing measure, has since received heavy criticisms from members of the public for breaking the Covid-19 restrictions.
However, the photos have since been taken down from social media.
Meanwhile, as per current SOP restrictions, social activities including birthdays, weddings, engagements, receptions, thanksgivings, anniversaries, reunions and retreats are not permitted in Sarawak.
Moreover, workers have been discouraged from dining together in pantries or offices, instead they should eat by themselves to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in workplaces.
In addition, individual or group gathering in public places has been capped at five people throughout the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) that has been extended until June 7. — DayakDaily
