KUCHING: Julau MP Larry Sng’s rejected entry application into Sarawak, was due to his incomplete reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rT-PCR) test submission.
Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) acting chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar James Jemut Masing said the committee wishes to clarify that there was no ill intent to decline Sng’s application to enter Sarawak as he has alleged on his Facebook page on Friday.
“Member of Parliament falls under the essential service list where they would be exempted from quarantine with conditions. However, his application was incomplete, in which it was stated in the decline page that he did not submit his rT-PCR test result in the application,” he said.
Masing pointed out that SDMC has enforced and made it compulsory for those intending to enter the state to apply through the ‘enterSarawak apps’ and E-Health declaration to safeguard the state during this pandemic.
For Member of Parliament attending the parliament sitting, a special SOP to exempt them from quarantine was implemented to allow MPs to better serve their constituents and people.
Hence for essential service to be exempted, the MPs will have to undergo an rT-PCR Covid-19 test and receive a negative result.
“They will have to also attach their official work letter and personal identification to complete the application process. MPs are also required to be swabbed before the Parliament sitting,” he told.
Sng’s application has been investigated (by SDMC) and found that he applied five times. Of which, his application was rejected three times due to insufficient documentation.
While another time, the system had approved his application with the condition that he is to undergo quarantine and not for exemption as his application was not furnished with an rT-PCR test result.
Masing added that Sng only enclosed and submitted his rT-PCR test and complete the required documentation on his 5th attempt of applying.
By following the procedure as his colleagues had done, he was approved to enter Sarawak with exemption from quarantine.
“We wish to remind everybody that it is important to check your application and the comments made by the administrator on your application status. Please contact the SDMC hotline (082554991 / 082446991) or visit the Sarawak Disaster Information Facebook page for more information on application procedures,” he stated.
