KUCHING, Aug 8: Santubong MP Dato Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar expressed concern over the spike of Covid-19 cases recorded in the parliamentary constituency which has seen a number of villages placed under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO).
According to Wan Junaidi, based on personal observation, spikes in Covid-19 cases seemed to take place particularly after festivities such as Hari Raya as well as Gawai, indicating that people may not be adhering strictly to standard operating procedures (SOPs) during these times.
“There could be a possibility that people are taking a more relaxed approach to the SOP because they have been vaccinated. During the recent Hari Raya Aidiladha, I noticed people still go around visiting friends and relatives.
“This is a wrong perception because vaccines do not prevent transmission of the virus. You can still spread and contract the virus. What the vaccine does is minimise the effect of Covid-19, so that the symptoms will not be severe. That is why you must strictly follow the SOPs,” he said in a statement today.
Meanwhile, Wan Junaidi lauded the Sarawak government, as well as the people, for the successful execution of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme in the State which currently has the second highest percentage of vaccinated population in the country after Labuan.
He said based on statistics by the Special Committee On Covid-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV), as of Aug 6, 2021, 85.6 per cent of the population in Sarawak have received at least their first dose of the vaccine.
He pointed out that such an achievement would not be possible without the dedication and hard work of Gabungan Parti Sarawak MPs and state assemblymen (ADUNs) in making sure that vaccines reach the people, regardless of where they are.
“This not an easy task as more than 40 per cent of the population of Sarawak reside in rural areas. The “wakil rakyat” (assemblymen) from GPS are all working hard to make sure everyone participates in the vaccination programme. On top of that, they have been active in distribution of food aid to the people as well.
“Moving forward, I would still like to remind everyone that the worst is still not over. Until we have reached herd immunity status, we must continue to strictly follow the safety SOPs,” he added.
On another matter, a total of 3.2 tonnes of basic food items were distributed by Wan Junaidi, last week to six villages under EMCO in the Santubong parliamentary consituency.
The food aid will benefit a total of 2,522 residents from 743 households in Kampung Telaga Air, Kampung Sungai Aur, Kampung Sibu Laut, Kampung Mersan, Kampung Santin and Kampung Senari. — DayakDaily
