KOTA KINABALU: The Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) has welcomed and supported Sabah state government’s decision to retain the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), despite a nationwide movement control order starting Wednesday.
Its President, Tan Sri T.C Goh expressed this in response to the statement by Sabah spokesperson for Covid-19 Datuk Masidi Manjun, that Sabah will continue with present SOPs with necessary adjustments, even if the Federal government has announced a nationwide MCO.
“Until further announcement, Sabah will retain the current SOPs as usual whether we are under the conditional movement control order or MCO,” Masidi said.
Goh said such a move would keep the economic activities moving and allow the people to stay afloat under the current harsh economic condition inflicted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Goh who is also President of the Federation of Sabah and Labuan Hokkien Associations (FSLHA) also urged the people of Sabah, the Chinese community in particular, to better appreciate such a ‘privileged’ arrangement by the State government, to remain vigilant and to fully comply with the safety and health guidelines mandated by the government.
He underscored that this is necessary, so that Sabah could continue to operate under the CMCO which allows the people to carry on with their lives and economic activities.
He also commended the Federal government for accepting Sabah state government’s proposal to retain the CMCO despite a nationwide MCO starting Wednesday.
Goh who is also currently President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) expressed this after undergoing vaccination here. He also urged those who have yet to register for vaccination to do so without further delay, so that we could achieve nationwide immunization ahead of schedule.
He added that the people should adopt a rational and positive attitude towards vaccination by looking at scientific facts, instead of simply listening to baseless talks which are being circulated in the social media.
He reiterated that, the people of Sabah should not take the current Covid-19 situation in the country lightly, citing that as of Monday, Sabah still ranked number 10th with 96 confirmed Covid-19 cases, and one fatality, making the total number of Covid-19 cases recorded at 58,953 cases.
As for the vaccination program in Sabah, as of Monday, the number of people who have successfully received the second dose of vaccine under the first phase was 50,065 individuals; while 27,613 individuals have received their first dose of vaccine under the second phase, and only one person has completed two doses. Currently, a total of 480,621 individuals or 16.4% of Sabah’s population have registered for vaccination.
Meanwhile, he expressed empathy for the state tourism industry which is currently still in an extremely difficult situation. He hoped the government could continue to provide the industry players with necessary assistance under the Prihatin Rakyat stimulus package, so as to help them to get through this devastating situation.
“Fortunately, our oil palm industry is currently thriving with the international crude palm oil price now at all-time high. Hopefully, this could help to sustain our economy during this challenging period of a pandemic,” he said.-or)BNN
