KUCHING: Workers in the state only need to get approval letters from the relevant state ministries for them to proceed through roadblocks to and from their workplaces.
Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said it was not necessary for them to get approval from Putrajaya.
“All approval letters to pass through the police roadblocks will be processed by the relevant ministries in the state,” he said.
He was responding to the statement today (June 7) by Inspector-General of Police Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani who said beginning tomorrow (June 8), police would only accept approval letters issued by six federal ministries and certain agencies nationwide.
Uggah listed the five state ministries where those needing approvals could obtain such letters specific to the scope or nature of their work or send their appeals to.
Thy are the Ministry of Agriculture Modernisation, Native Land and Regional Development; Ministry of Local Government and Housing; Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development Sarawak; Ministry of Transport; and Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development.
“Sectors allowed to operate are indicated in the state’s movement control order (MCO) standard operating procedures (SOPs) dated May 29 (updated May 31).
“However, it is still very much SDMC’s stance that the people should stay home unless they have very compelling reasons to go out,” he said.
By staying at home, they would help to curb the spread of the Covid-19 within the community, he said.
“People are only allowed to go out to perform their official duties, carry out essential services or to do their work in relation to essential services.
“However, they still need to obtain police permits or letters from their employers,” he said.
Uggah said for those who need to buy food, daily necessities, medicine and dieting provisions, they are only allowed to shop within a 10-kilometre radius from their residence.
“Meanwhile, the police will allow those having health or their Covid-19 vaccination appointments to proceed,” he said.
