Malaysia

Covid-19: S’wak urged to convene state assembly despite localised emergency

Matter must be debated at length especially given that state has among highest vaccination rates nationwide, say PKR man, activist

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 28 Sep 2021 3:00PM

Covid-19: S’wak urged to convene state assembly despite localised emergency
The Covid-19 situation in Sarawak cannot be discussed and debated at length as the state assembly is not in session. – File pic, September 28, 2021

by Stephen Then

MIRI – The Sarawak government needs to convene an emergency sitting of the state assembly to discuss the state’s high Covid-19 cases and deaths despite it having one of the highest vaccination rates in the country.

State PKR information chief Abun Sui Anyit said the coronavirus is the most urgent matter facing the rakyat now, and that the Sarawak government should convene a sitting even though the state is under a localised health emergency.

“It is very urgent that state lawmakers deliberate as comprehensively as possible on the latest Covid-19 situation in Sarawak. There must be a good explanation as to why we are still seeing worrying levels of infections and deaths.

“The politicians keep boasting about the successful vaccination drive, but the rakyat are very worried that cases are still high in the community.”

He said Sarawakians are living in constant fear and anxiety due to the continuous threat.

Civil society group Rise of Sarawak Efforts chairman Ann Teo echoed Abun’s call.

“The problem now is that there is no state assembly sitting. The issue cannot be discussed and debated at length. State politicians now don’t need to give detailed explanations and answers.

“We need the assembly to convene to focus on Covid-19,” she told The Vibes.

The state government must provide a full explanation as to why it is one of the worst performers in terms of Covid-19 management, said Sarawak Pakatan Harapan chairman Chong Chieng Jen yesterday.

Notwithstanding the fact that the state has one of the best vaccination rates in Malaysia, he said, it still has the highest number of new cases nationwide.

“The state also has one of the highest ICU occupancy rates in the country.” – The Vibes, September 28, 2021

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