KUCHING: The people of Kapit and Song districts were urged to remain calm and avoid panic buying amidst the implementation of movement control order (CMO) effective from Feb 2 to 15.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said panic buying situation is likely to occur in both areas following the MCO directive announced by the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) recently.
“I urge all residents to work together and avoid panic buying as it will worsen the Covid-19 spread situation. I have instructed KPDNHEP Sarawak enforcement officers to constantly monitor the supply of essential goods in the affected areas throughout the MCO.
“In addition, the enforcement officers will also monitor for any profiteering activities by traders during these difficult times,” he said in a statement on Monday (Feb 1).
Nanta who is also the Kapit member of parliament (MP), mentioned that the people’s compliance to the standard operating procedure (SOP) during MCO was fundamental in efforts to curb the spread of the pandemic.
“As the MP for Kapit, I am aware of the concerns faced by all residents in both areas which were previously ‘green zone’ areas.
“I would like to appeal to all residents to remain calm and comply with all instructions from the authorities to remain at home during this period.
“I take seriously the spread of Covid-19 infection in both districts and therefore, Kapit Parliamentary Service Centre and Bukit Goram Constituency Service Centre will work with the authorities to ensure that the Covid-19 outbreak is completely curbed.
“My representative in Kapit will also try to channel assistance that can be delivered to the affected residents and will always inform and update the information to the residents,” he added.
Nanta also advised the community to increase awareness on the practice of preventing the virus infection for the benefit of all parties.
The most important thing, he said, is to comply with the SOPs set by the government and the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) as well as adopting new norms especially involving the use of face masks, social distancing, hand sanitiser and avoiding public gatherings.
“I am confident that if we can educate and control ourselves and our families, we will succeed in curbing the spread of this pandemic, not only in Kapit and Song districts but Malaysia as a whole.
“Let us together take the responsibility to play our respective roles in the effort to tackle the curve of Covid-19 infection in our beloved country,” he concluded.
