KUCHING, April 20: SUPP Youth urges the Sarawak government to review the policy of requiring Sarawakians returning from other states to undergo a 14-day quarantine at home.
Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Youth secretary-general Milton Foo asserted many Sarawakians have protested against such a policy and urged the government to place these returning Sarawakians in quarantine facilities instead of taking the risk of them infecting their families during home quarantine.
“I urge the Sarawak government to seriously review and reconsider the implementation of the policy of any Sarawakian returning from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Labuan to undergo a 14-day quarantine at home instead of at quarantine centres effective on April 20, as announced by Deputy Chief Minister-cum-State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas two days ago,” Foo emphasised in a press statement today.
He claimed there had been a storm of public criticism on social media about this policy of home quarantine, as it endangered family members of the returnee, and would undermine all previous efforts in curbing Covid-19 for the past month.
He asserted that at this critical time of fighting a global pandemic, the government’s policy should take into consideration the wellbeing of all Sarawakians.
“Thus, every order and policy must be made circumspectly as it affects the life of each individual Sarawakian, a matter which is so important that no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty in accordance with law, Part II Fundamental Liberties of the Federal Constitution.
“I truly believe that Sarawak will win over this epidemic war if right and informed decisions are made by the authority with the full support and collaboration of all Sarawakians,” Foo added.
On April 19, Uggah in a press conference disclosed that starting April 20, all Sarawakians returning from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah or Labuan will be required to be quarantined at home for 14 days and be monitored by the Ministry of Health.
Those who do not have places to stay will be placed at the respective quarantine centres provided by the state government.
As for those returning from overseas, Uggah disclosed they will be quarantined at the respective quarantine centres upon arrival.
He also revealed that overseas Sarawakians returning to Malaysia and who have completed their quarantine period of 14 days in Peninsular Malaysia will be issued a stay home notice. — DayakDaily
