Parents: Why are schools open but not Parliament?

Milton Foo

KUCHING, April 16: Parents in Sarawak are distressed as many schools are still open when Covid-19 is spreading like wildfire in Sarawak, but parliamentary sessions have not resumed.

Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Youth secretary-general Milton Foo said he has been bombarded by calls from parents, teachers and principals who raised concerns on the appropriateness of holding physical classes at such a critical time.

“Some parents even questioned me on why Parliament is not open when schools are allowed to open.

“(They said) is it because the lives of the YBs are more precious and important than that of the students and teachers?” he said in a statement today.

He said these parents also expressed frustration that their children are exposed to danger of contracting Covid-19 without being vaccinated, unlike the political leaders where most of them have already completed full doses of the vaccination.

Thus, on behalf of all parents in Sarawak, Foo urged the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) to take into account the recent outbreak of Covid-19 cases and take immediate action to close down all schools in Covid-19 red and orange zones.

Sarawak has not only recorded the highest if not the second highest number of daily Covid-19 cases in the whole of Malaysia lately, he said, but there were also numerous and continuing reported clusters from school premises since the opening of schools in March.

“In the unprecedented fight against Covid-19, leaders must lead with unwavering measures not only to make people aware and understand, but also to respond quickly and abide to the SOPs (standard operating procedures) that are tailored to contain the deadly disease of Covid-19,” he added. — DayakDaily