BETONG: The coming 12th state election (PRN12) will be conducted differently from previous elections due to the current Covid-19 pandemic.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said that Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Bukit Saban must get ready as there would be new regulations and procedures in place.
“While election is very important, we do not want it done at the people’s expense,” he said at a gathering with PBB Bukit Saban branch leaders at Rumah Francis Nyanggau in Penom on Saturday.
Uggah, who is also PBB Bukit Saban chairman, said that it would be a challenging situation with the standard operating procedures (SOPs), especially social distancing, which had to be complied with at all times.
“We may need to hold courses on the do’s and don’ts in addition to the normal requirements,” he continued.
Uggah also called on all party members to keep themselves informed on all issues affecting the people on the ground as they must know the progress of the implementation of any development projects.
“Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg wants all of us to keep tabs of the number of rural youths who lost their jobs due to the pandemic.
“With the information, our leaders can work out suitable plans to help them,” he said.
Uggah also reminded the grassroots leaders that they were tasked to convince the voters to continue supporting the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government.
“The opposition will be raising a lot of issues, but we will continue with our agenda of development and to raise the income of rural folk.
“We want to do this through our modern agriculture transformation programmes,” he stated.
On the Covid-19 pandemic, Uggah, who is also the chairman of the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), advised rural folk travelling to Kuching to always use face masks, wash their hands with sanitisers and practise social distancing.
“If any of you are ill with high fever, coughing and flu, please go to your nearest clinic for a check-up,” he said.
Uggah also informed the people that the state was now experiencing the second wave of the virus.
“We must take good care of our health and do not leave things to chances,” he said.
