Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii said that although he supported Sarawak’s “autonomy” to make decisions and craft SOPs based on local context and needs, such decisions must be based on science and data rather than political considerations.

In a statement today, Yii said it was important for the public to know the SDMC’s reasons for sticking with a conditional MCO, especially in areas with high infection rates and case numbers.

“I am concerned with the recent statement made by state health director Dr Chin Zin Hing that the use of intensive care units in government hospitals has reached a critical level,” he said, adding that PPE supplies were also at a critical level in certain hospitals.

Yii said that without effective intervention, Sarawak’s healthcare system, particularly in main outbreak areas, would be overrun due to the detection of Covid-19 variants of concern in the state.

“With high cases and low vaccination rates in Sarawak, we do not want to provide a conducive environment for the virus to mutate further, making it more infective and harder to control,” he said.

Meanwhile, Yii said financial assistance for industries severely affected by the recent SOP change should be provided, especially to the food industry.

Yesterday, the SDMC announced that dine-in customers would not be permitted at restaurants and food outlets, with only delivery, drive-through and takeaways allowed.

Yii called on the government to have a clear exit strategy for all businesses after the conditional movement control order, which should include measures to restore the economy to normalcy while ensuring the safety of the community.

“There must be continued engagement between relevant ministries and stakeholders (for them to discuss) the necessary steps for businesses to resume operation in phases, and to allow them to prepare the necessary SOPs beforehand,” he said.