By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, March 13: The Covid-19 situation in Sibu remains alarming and serious despite recording double digit figures in the past few days as compared to triple digits last month.
Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Clarence Ting highlighted that although recent cases were lower as compared to last month, he opined that the Covid-19 situation in Sibu is not out of the woods yet.
“I can still see that the situation is very much uncertain. Yesterday, the cases shot up again.
“It shows that people are not following SOPs (standard operating procedures) and highly depending on the government and hope the government will impose stricter control measures like Movement Control Order (MCO).
“Of course (in) Sibu, the Covid-19 is still very serious,” he said during Kuching South City Council mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng’s live streaming on Facebook, entitled “Shall Wee Talk” today.
Ting was a guest during the live streaming together with Minister for Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Wee, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang and Miri City Council mayor Adam Yii.
On another note, Ting pointed out that everyone in Sibu is eager to be inoculated as soon as possible.
He asserted that the demand for Covid-19 vaccination in Sibu is extremely high.
Those include pallbearers, tutors and teachers who claimed that they are among the frontliners for Covid-19 vaccination exercise.
“Even the hairdressers say they are the frontliners,” he added.
On the supply of Covid-19 vaccine to Sibu and other red zones of coronavirus in Sarawak such as Bintulu and Kapit, Dr Sim said the state government has communicated the desire to procure more Covid-19 vaccine to Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who is also the coordinating minister for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK).
Apart from that, Dr Sim said the Ministry of Local Government and Housing has empowered the local councils to fine those who are littering in public places.
He revealed that enforcement officers of the local councils have power to issue compound starting March 1 under a law which has been gazetted.
Dr Sim asserted that littering in the public places was due to the attitude problem of some people, adding that irresponsible dumping of used face masks and rubbish in the open could cause other viruses or diseases in the future.
Meanwhile, Lo highlighted that issues under the MPP jurisdiction were illegal dumping of rubbish and used face masks on the roadside, drain and recreation parks.
He noted the irresponsible disposal of waste by the public in MPP areas have became an eye sore and challenges that the local council has to deal with over the years.
Meanwhile, Wee disclosed that MBKS has issued four compounds amounted to RM1,500 each to business premises which flouted the SOPs of Covid-19.
Ting added SMC enforcement officers have also issued a few compounds to business premises which did not abide by the SOPs, adding that it serves as a stern warning and reminder for those who violated the law. — DayakDaily
