KOTA KINABALU – The Sabah State Assembly sitting today passed the Bill on Temporary Measures to Reduce the Impact of Covid-19.
Speaker Datuk Kadzim M. Yahya said the motion for the bill, tabled by state Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun (PN-Karanan), was passed through majority voice note.
Masidi said the bill aims to create provisions for temporary measures to reduce the impact of Covid-19 and formulated as the state government’s commitment to minimise the impact of the pandemic to the state’s economy, social sphere and industries.
“Generally, the bill contains provisions to modify certain enactments and ordinances that limit efforts to revive the state’s economy and assist the people post-Covid-19.
“The bill consists of seven chapters and 25 sections, with the effective period of two years from the date it is gazetted,” he said when tabling the bill here today.
Masidi said the bill could provide temporary relief from responsibilities or compliance with certain legislation for a specific period for the people’s survival.
“The bill does not contain provisions for punishments or penalties in the event of violations, in line with the state government’s intention that the bill should not be punitive in nature and burden any party.
“Covid-19 does not differentiate between the wealthy and poor, employers and workers, and traders and buyers in the urban or rural areas.
“The impact is felt by all quarters. When a party is affected, the total economic chain will be affected as well,” he said.
Masidi said the bill also involved comprehensive study and reference to the model law of the federal government and some other countries, such as the UK and Singapore.
“As a result, the bill was formulated by taking into account the current situation in Sabah as well as to protect the interest of various parties,” he added.
Masidi said the state government is confident that the post-Covid-19 impact to the people in Sabah in various aspects of life could be addressed effectively and efficiently through the implementation of the bill. – Bernama, December 23, 2020
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