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Reconsider decision on exempting ministers from quarantine

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Datuk Seri Victor Hii Lu Thian

KUCHING: The Sarawak Community Policing Association (SCPA) has urged the government to reconsider its decision to exempt cabinet ministers from quarantine.

This follows recent media reports that cabinet ministers from official trips abroad are exempted from the 10 days quarantine or home surveillance period.

SCPA chairman Datuk Seri Victor Hii Lu Thian said that the government’s decision had no scientific research or proof.

He pointed out that the decision would mean a double standard as everyone could be infected by the Covid-19 irrespective of age, position or title.

“We would like to strongly urge the government to reconsider its decision on Section 15 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342), which comes into effect from tomorrow onwards.

“While we understand that cabinet ministers must uphold their duties and responsibilities to their constituents and the State, we feel that three days of surveillance is not sufficient to protect the wellbeing and safety of all Sarawakians,” he pointed out.

He added that the state government must cover all grounds to protect the citizens.

“As Covid-19 cases spike around the region, it is advisable to ensure that the State government covers all ground to protect our citizens at all costs. “This includes for all Malaysians including politicians to adhere to the safety standards that have been put in place by the Ministry of Health.

“As stated by many medical experts, it is possible for people to be asymptomatic carriers of the coronavirus and this could have important implications for viral transmission,” he said.

In view of this, he hoped that the government would take heed of recommendations by medical experts to adhere to the 14 days quarantine to mitigate the spread of the virus.

He also said the task of curbing the spread of Covid-19 was a collective effort despite the many challenges it posed.

“Although the movement control order (MCO) and conditional movement control order (CMCO) has posed many challenges to businesses and the livelihood of people, it is for the greater good of the country. It requires a collective effort to curb the spread of the virus and we must also help our frontliners mitigate the spread.

“For the sake of public safety and to curb criminal activities resulting from the prolonged movement restrictions, job insecurity, unemployment, we strongly urge the government to reconsider its decision to impose the recently announced federal gazette,” he said.

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