Malaysia

Halt polls campaign, other events or Covid-19 will persist, Sarawak told

NGO’s call follows advisory urging Baram folk to avoid travelling to Miri, Beluru until further notice

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 04 Apr 2021 3:06PM

Halt polls campaign, other events or Covid-19 will persist, Sarawak told — Longhouses in Sarawak have not escaped outbreaks of the coronavirus. – File pic, April 4, 2021

by Stephen Then

MIRI – A non-governmental organisation has called on the Sarawak administration to put the brakes on all planned events, including those to do with campaigning for the state election.

Baram Peoples’ Action Committee chairman Philip Jau told The Vibes that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has many official functions and meet-the-people sessions lined up in the coming days.

“These activities involving big gatherings must be stopped immediately if we ever want to break the chain of Covid-19 infections in the state.

“The Baram district office has issued a travel advisory to us at the longhouses, telling us not to travel to and from Miri district due to worsening Covid-19 infections.

“In view of this latest travel advisory, the state government must stop organising big events in rural villages.

“What is happening in Baram now is that events like project launches are still being organised by politicians, who invite people from out of state or district to attend.

“Meet-the-people sessions are also held at the longhouses by GPS assemblymen.

“I was told that the chief minister, ministers and assemblymen will travel to Baram and Mulu this coming week.

Baram Peoples’ Action Committee chairman Philip Jau says programmes like project launches are still being organised in the district by politicians. – File pic, April 4, 2021

“Several big official events have been planned, and longhouse folk invited to attend and give their support.

“These events must be cancelled immediately in light of the latest travel advisory.

“These are election campaign events, which may have contributed to the inter-district spread of Covid-19 we are seeing now.”

His comments come after the advisory issued yesterday urged Baram’s 30,000 population to avoid travelling to Miri and Beluru until further notice due to the virus crisis.

Baram district officer Baru Tai issued written notices to the chiefs of over 300 longhouses and settlements, telling them to inform villagers about the travel advisory.

“Those in Miri and Beluru are also advised not to travel to Baram.

“This advice must be obeyed strictly as part of our risk-management strategy.”

Miri has recorded 500 coronavirus cases over the past 15 days and a total of nine deaths since the middle of last year, according to the Health Department. – The Vibes, April 4, 2021