PAKAN, April 13: Residents here are complaining that they have to wait for long hours under the hot sun to get permits for their travels to get government financial aid to buy daily necessities.
Their complaints have gone viral on Facebook with photos showing long queue at Pakan police post, which was manned by only two police officers.
As there is no bank in Pakan, the local community have no choice but to go to Julau, Sarikei and Sibu to get the financial aids. To get out of Pakan, they need the inter-district travel permit during this movement control order (MCO).
The long queue at the police post was seen from as early as 7am to 11am today.
As Julau is only serve by one bank, long queue was also expected the order of the day, as there is only one ATM machine.
Julau district police chief, Deputy Supt Ismuni Umar, said he had asked a state minister to help get a bank to set up a branch in Pakan. However, until now, there has not been any response from any bank.
“As it is now, the people have to travel to either Julau, Sarikei or Sibu to do their banking transaction,” he said when contacted.
Ismuni added that most of the permits were given for them to go to Sibu and Sarikei, where there are more banks there.
Asked on those without a driving licence, as most rural folk don’t have it, he said they were advised to follow those with transport.
“However, there must not be more than two persons in the car. We have also advised them to get their relatives help them do the banking transaction,” he continued. — DayakDaily
