KOTA KINABALU – A Sabah political party is questioning the high number of airline passengers over the past few months, despite the implementation of the movement control order (MCO).
United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) Youth chief Felix Joseph Saang said Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad’s (MAHB) figures showed that 548,000 international passengers entered Malaysia in April while 1.4 million passengers were on board domestic flights.
“This means that in April alone, some two million passengers were recorded by MAHB. This does not include other unreported months.
“We all wonder: what is the purpose of the emergency and lockdown (when movement is not fully restricted); what is the government’s motive?
“Other than that, almost all shopping, entertainment, gambling, recreational, and sports centres, as well as public places are open during the emergency.
“For me, this is a sign of the government’s failure, and it is embarrassing,” he said in a statement.
Saang, who is also the Beluran Upko division chief, said that Perikatan Nasional and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah have been issuing confusing standard operating procedures (SOPs) in Sabah.
“One time this is allowed, another time it is not allowed, then they change it two days later.
“This has happened not once or twice, but repeatedly. Similar to the situation now, we are under total lockdown, but 1.57 million people are still working, and 128,150 companies are allowed to operate.
“Travelling between districts also requires a letter from the International Trade and Industry Ministry, but there are incidents of people crossing district lines without letters.
“How can this be? This is a matter of the rakyat, and the future of the country,” he said.
Saang said that the leaders must be responsible for their failure, and not solely blame the rakyat for the increase in Covid-19 cases.
“It cannot be denied that the rakyat have failed to adhere to SOPs. However, blaming only the people is not right. The government must be responsible for its failure too,” he said.
Meanwhile, Saang urged the government to expedite the vaccination process.
“The RM5 billion acquired from the National Trust Fund without going through Parliament should be sufficient to expedite the process.
“I understand and know of the challenges (the government) is facing, and this is not the time to be pointing fingers. But if we remain silent, the rakyat will continue to suffer for the mistakes and failures of the government,” he said. –The Vibes, June 5, 2021
