KUCHING: The recent announcement that only vaccinated individuals are allowed to work or enter any business premises is constitutional, says Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).
“The policy does not contravene human rights or fundamental liberties as enshrined under the Federal Constitution,” added SDMC on Friday (Aug 27).
“At the outset, the equality provision under Article 8 of Federal Constitution is not absolute.
“In other words, this form of distinction or classification is permitted within the parameters of law and as in the present situation to contain the spread of infectious diseases in the state.”
Responding to a statement by Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan, SDMC also described the Voon’s allegation as baseless.
Voon said the Sarawak government’s policies would create unlawful discrimination that would lead to the creation of two classes of society, namely the vaccinated and the unvaccinated.
“The allegation has no basis and devoid of merit as it is permissible by law to make such distinction or classification considering the rising cases of Covid-19 here in Sarawak,” SDMC said.
SDMC said the policy was a temporary measure that was necessary to curb the spread of the virus among Sarawakians due to the spike in cases for the past few weeks.
“This signifies that a new form of standard operating procedure is essential for the benefit of the public and to reduce the burden on the already strained healthcare facilities.
“The policy does not in any way deprive or deny unvaccinated individuals their fundamental rights.”
SDMC said those unsuitable to get the vaccine jab due to medical reasons could present supporting documents from registered medical practitioners in order to also be given similar benefits like vaccinated individuals.
“With the supporting documents, they would be allowed to work or enter any business premises during this time though not strongly encouraged to do so in view of the risk of community transmission at the moment.”
SDMC said currently, 90.7 per cent of people in Sarawak had received one dose of the vaccine while 87.3 per cent had been fully vaccinated.
