KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has commended the efforts taken by several villages which had placed warning signs to prevent outsiders from entering their longhouses as a preventive measure against the Covid-19 outbreak.
Uggah, who is also the State Disaster Management Committee chairman, said this is good development as it shows that the villagers are aware of what is being carried out by the government which is good for all.
“The villagers are playing their part to prevent the spread of the virus and they are doing this for the safety of their families,” he said in a press conference when asked on the action taken by the villagers which was live streamed at Wisma Bapa Malaysia yesterday.
He said in Sarawak, many of the Covid-19 cases are imported cases and which is why it may have led the villagers to put up the ‘no entry’ signs.
“Those in the rural areas are aware of the present situation and that is their display of support towards what the government is doing,” he said.
Among the villages that had put up the ‘no entry’ signs is Rumah Itam Ujok in Kelawit, Bintulu that warns those caught trespassing into the longhouse would be fined RM2,000.
Another longhouse, Rumah Bajing in Batu Niah, does the same and charges trespassers RM2,000, as well.
Elsewhere in Sungai Asap a longhouse puts up a sign warning of a RM500 fine.
