Uggah: Social media full of complaints, not reflective of govt efforts

Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas

By Ling Hui

KUCHING, March 18: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has expressed slight dismay that social media is reflecting the people’s flawed understanding of the Sarawak government’s plans and initiatives.

He said there are many “interesting comments” on social media that exhibit more of the people’s discontent with current policies than appreciation of the Sarawak government’s effort.

“Sometimes I don’t want to look at social media because there is not much appreciation of what we (the Sarawak government) are doing, more of all sorts of complaints,” he lamented.

Despite that, he said this is the life of a politician and one in politics must be able to take the criticism, accept good feedback and persevere.

“So when people ask me whether I like my job, I say I have to like the job. If I don’t like the job, I won’t last long,” he said during the National Conference on Dayak Women official dinner at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.

Meanwhile, Uggah said Sarawak is looking into opening up its borders and loosening the present standard operating procedure (SOPs) as the rest of Malaysia will do the same starting April 1.

Though entering the endemic phase, he said Covid-19 will remain a threat and the war against the pandemic is still on.

“Today, the number of cases recorded is 1,316. Tomorrow, I hope the number will be reduced some more. In the last three days, there has been a downward trend.

“So, that’s why I find it appropriate to talk about this tonight. SIDS (Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak) members who came from all throughout Sarawak are here.

“We want you to be our ambassador, to back up the Sarawak government and advise your members to protect themselves, their families, friends and colleagues,” he said.

Only with that, Uggah said, can the lives of all Sarawakians return to normalcy.

Among other dignitaries who attended the dinner were the organising committee chairman Professor Datuk Dr Jayum Jawan, House of Senate, Malaysian on Dayak Women and Politics YB Senator Susan Chemerai Anding, and SIDS president Dato Alice Jawan Empaling. — DayakDaily