KUCHING – Sarawak DAP has urged the state government use its coffers to help small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as micro-traders, in light of the emergency proclamation.
Its chairman, Chong Chieng Jen, said with the movement control order and state of emergency, the spread of Covid-19 should be substantially reduced, thus, the state government’s priority is to save businesses and jobs.
However, he questioned the use of the emergency order since the movement restrictions have proven effective against the pandemic in the past.
“The movement control order (MCO), conditional MCO, recovery MCO and enhanced MCO are measures that have been proven effective in flattening the curve of the infectivity rate.”
Chong said the long-term economic impact of the emergency order could be more damaging to the country’s economy than the previous MCOs and CMCOs.
“It will not only affect short-term economic activities, but also long-term decisions by foreign investors.
“While I support not calling for state polls unless the vaccination programme has achieved its full effect on the populace, a nationwide emergency is not necessary to curb the infection rate or flatten it.”
He said with the emergency order, all state powers are now vested in the federal government, except those pertaining to religious and customary matters, adding that “this is a usurpation of state powers”. – The Vibes, January 13, 2021
