By Karen Bong
MIRI, Feb 4: Additional manpower from police, the Armed Force, and other law enforcement agencies will be deployed to step up enforcement and monitoring to ensure compliance with the standard operating procedure (SOP) in Miri in efforts to break the chain of Covid-19 infections.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg announced today that the State government has decided to increase the manpower of enforcement agencies particularly the police, Armed Force and People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) to enforce and make sure that people abide by and comply with the SOP given that Covid-19 community cases were still high.
“The State government has also agreed to provide more assets such as drones and vehicles to support all enforcements in their operations so that they can mobilise speedily to deal with any issues,” he told a press conference after a briefing on the current Covid-19 situation in Miri Division held at a hotel here today.
Abang Johari pointed out that these measures were taken considering that community cases of Covid-19 infections were still high especially in rural areas and smaller districts in the division.
“I have been briefed by the Miri Divisional Disaster Management Committee (MIRI DMC) led by (Minister of Transport) Datuk Lee Kim Shin as well as other related agencies tasked to take necessary actions to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the community.
“With Covid-19 still present in the community, we have to take certain actions to curb the spread. One of which we have decided is to enhance enforcement and we hope people will cooperate by adhering to the SOP,” he said.
Noting the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in Beluru, Abang Johari advised residents to refrain from crowding together even though communal dwelling was a significant part of longhouse culture.
“It is not about disrupting the culture but at this time, we must be more disciplined to break the chain of infections within 14 days because this disease can spread fast and far.
“I also appeal to the longhouses chieftains and community leaders to ensure residents comply with the SOP during this critical period.
“The state government will provide whatever assistance that is necessary through agencies like the State Welfare Department to help residents cope in these hard times,” he assured.
Abang Johari also expressed appreciation to Miri DMC, all frontliners including healthcare workers, uniformed bodies as well as the public for their efforts and collaborations.
He reiterated calls for all Sarawakians to take good care of themselves and Sarawak while waiting for the arrival of the vaccines.
“We hope within six months as we continue to observe the situation and hopefully cases will fall. By then, we (would already) have (the) vaccine which will be given to Sarawakians for free.
“This will definitely help to decrease the Covid-19 cases in our communities.
“So I urge all Sarawakians to take care and cooperate so we can all be healthy and the moment this chain is broken, we can go back to living our normal life and economy can progress smoothly,” he added.
Later, Abang Johari also handed over a grant amounting RM756,620 to Masjid Darul Ehsan which was received by the mosque chairman Temenggong Dato Abdul Rahman Fadzail.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, Deputy State Secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik, Minister for Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian and Minister of Utility Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom were among those present. -DayakDaily
