Press Statement Chong Chieng Jen:
There should only be one SOP for entry into Sarawak, not one for the ordinary citizens and one for the VIPs and those on official duties.
At the moment, there are 2 sets of SOPs whereby those who are on official duties can do their swab test 3 days before they enter Sarawak and they will not be subject to 14-day quarantine. On the other hand, for the ordinary citizens, they must be subject to 14-day quarantine regardless whether they have done the swab test before they enter Sarawak.
Such dual-SOP has caused great anger amongst the people. It is as if the Covid-19 virus will differentiate between the high officials and politicians on the one hand and the ordinary citizens on the other hand. This undermines the legitimacy of our institution and authority in the eyes of the people.
If the SOP applicable to those on official duties or VIPs is considered safe to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus, then such SOP should also equally be applicable to the ordinary people. Why put the people to the inconvenience of 14-day quarantine, if this SOP suffice to contain the virus?
However, if the 14-day quarantine is a necessary requirement to prevent the spread of the virus, then it should also equally be applicable to the VIPs and those on official duties, otherwise, we are putting everyone in jeopardy.
Therefore, I urge the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) to formulate just one SOP for all and not differentiate according to the position and status of a person.
9-11-2020
Chong Chieng Jen
DAP Sarawak Chairman
