STATE leaders should look beyond political and economic interests when pushing Sarawak into an official endemic status.
This is because the state is still ill-equipped to transition into this stage given the surge in Covid-19 infections mostly due to the Delta variant.
Just yesterday, a remote little town in Sarawak called Pusa saw six Covid-19 deaths with four brought-in-dead cases to Betong Hospital, which is about 60km away.
In a statement, the State Disaster Management Committee reported that the deceased were aged 29, 49, 62, 67, 69 and 73.
There were four other coronavirus deaths state-wide yesterday, three in Betong aged 55, 77 and 79 and one in Sibu aged 82.
The total death toll stood at 669 with 2,929 new cases.
Since the start of August to mid-September, there have been some 120 deaths and nearly 100,000 fresh Covid-19 cases state-wide.
Hence, it is appalling for state leaders to continue pushing Sarawak into the endemic stage.
Last Thursday saw Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Tun Openg saying that it is up to the National Security Council to decide if Sarawak can transition into the endemic phase of Covid-19.
He said that the state is expected to complete vaccination for those aged between 12 and 17 by the end of next month.
People on the street, opposition politicians and social activists have openly criticised attempts to rush the state into the endemic phase.
Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii warned that declaring Sarawak as endemic will mean that Covid-19 is just another long-term disease.
He questioned the wisdom of such a move when there is still a large population of unvaccinated people in Sarawak, especially among youths and children.
Yii also wanted Covid-19 booster jabs administered to the fully vaccinated who are experiencing waning vaccine protection.
All these must be carried out before the state government declares Sarawak endemic, he stressed in the Dewan Rakyat sitting.
Indeed, to force Sarawakians to just live with Covid-19 without putting in place a protection shield, will be a deadly mistake.
It is obvious that state leaders are looking at things from political and economic standpoints.
They need to reboot the economy and hold the 12th state election which is long overdue.
The State Legislative Assembly term expired on June 7, and the need for the ruling coalition of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to seek a fresh mandate is pressing by the day.
I was informed by a very well-placed GPS source that state polls are being slotted between end October and mid-November, only about a month from now.
That explains why GPS ministers are pushing for the endemic status.
State elections can be held openly once Sarawak is in an endemic stage.
However, with Sarawakians still at risk of being infected with Covid-19, it is reckless for the state government to propel for the state to transition into the endemic phase. – The Vibes, September 19, 2021
Stephen Then is a reporter with The Vibes
