GPS Failure - Covid-19 Management & BKSS 6.0
Covid-19 Pandemic
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The GPS government of Sarawak has failed big time and there is no two way about it. As they say, figures do not lie and we do not expect responsible leaders in our government to lie about numbers that pertains to crucial matter. We therefore assume all figures quoted here are accurate and truthful.
Let us examine what the GPS government leaders have told us about the management of Covid-19 in the state and the numbers that they have put out into public sphere as proofs of what they have done.
Before we move down to the targets set, let us recap what was revealed yesterday through media statements made by the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC). These are the figures, extracted from the infographics provided by the CIFT/JHJAV:
Total 1st dose given : 1,853,358 (*90.7%)
Total 2nd dose given : 1,780,249 ( *87.2%)
It is unclear though what the 90.7% and 87.2% meant.
The target was for Sarawak to achieve herd immunity by end of August 2021. To achieve that, one of the actions taken was to ensure there is sufficient amount of vaccines available. This (providing sufficient vaccines) they have done.
The other target was to achieve herd immunity by 31st August 2021. We are now into the 3rd day of September meaning we have passed the targeted date of August. What are we seeing now? Let us start by recalling what was said about herd immunity.
Herd immunity for Sarawak was defined by the Minister of Local Government & Housing Prof. Dato Sri Dr. Sim Kui Hian in April 2021 as 80% of Sarawak’s total population of 2,810,000 (2.8 mil). This was in line with World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guideline on herd immunity.The statement was qualified to say that only 70% of the 2.8 mil (some 1.967 mil) is adult population. That qualification is important as the vaccines available at that time was suitable only for those who are 18 years and above of age. If the 80% herd immunity rule is applied to Sarawak’s adult population, then herd immunity in Sarawak has been achieved and within the time frame set i.e by end of August 2021. As at the 31st August 2021, a total of 1.773 mil adult population have received their 2nd dose and hence fully vaccinated, representing 90.1% of Sarawak’s adult population.
It is important to remember these figure because there is a very serious and significant implication that comes with achieving herd immunity : The daily positive figures should be greatly reduced, preferably to a single digit level and the Covid.19 related deaths brought down to zero. This however is not what we are seeing now. For the last seven days, the daily positive cases ranged from 2224 to 2992. Death tolls too have not abated. For the last two days I.e on the 1st Sept 2021 and 2nd Sept 2021, the new deaths toll stood at 7.
We do not know where exactly the GPS government of Sarawak and the SDMC have gone wrong with their strategies and action plans. What we do know is the situation with the pandemic has gone from bad to worse. The question that we must ask now and to which the GPS government of Sarawak must provide an answer is this : What is the point in achieving herd immunity when it is not doing us any good at all?
BKSS 6.0 And The B40 Households
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To see the fully extent of the failure of the GPS government in the management of the Covid.19 pandemic, the consequences on Sarawakians must be put under the microscope.
On the 28th May 2021, CM Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg (Abang Johari) announced that the Sarawak government will soon roll out the latest in the Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang series (BKSS 6.0). The portion that involves cash payouts was to have commenced in July 2021.
Among the groups that were targeted to receive aids under BKSS aids programme is the B40 segment of the communities, the majority of which are to be found in the rural areas.
The B40 recipients under this BKSS 6.0 comprised 369,139 heads of household, 301,281 single individuals and 118,114 single parents without dependents.
Before we go further, it is important to know what the term B40 denotes. In Malaysia, B40 is the term used to refer to the bottom 40 (in terms of household’s income) of the population in the country. This segment comprises the hardcore poor. These are households whose average monthly income ranges from RM1849 to RM4395.
In the BKSS 6.0 aids programme, 369,139 households were listed as recipients of the cash aid of RM250 per month for a period of 6 months. In addition, there were another two categories of B40 recipients namely the B40 single individuals and single parents without dependant.
As previously mentioned, Sarawak has a population of 2,810,000. For purposes of calculating the number of households in Sarawak, each household or family is assumed to have 4 members. On that basis, the total households in Sarawak is put at 702,500. 369,139 households out of the total of 702,500 is 52.54%. And this not counting the B40 single individuals and the B40 single parents without dependant.
As is plainly obvious, the term B40 here is a misnomer because the households in this hardcore poor now comprises 52.54 % of the total households in Sarawak so by right the correct term to use is B52. Originally, the hardcore poor households was at the 40% level hence the term B40. This was the result of GPS governance and administration when times were good and 60% of Sarawak’s households live in conditions of plenty. The additional 12.54% is a direct result of the mismanagement of the Covid.19 pandemic by the GPS government. Lock downs and movement controls causes businesses to close down and consequently, loss of jobs and under-employment. In other words, the B52 class of households and the attendant hardship and misery that comes with it is a direct consequence of GPS failure to look after the well-being of Sarawakians.
So my fellow Sarawakians, do you want GPS to continue to govern Sarawak? Wake up now to the folly of letting GPS govern us and reject them in the coming PRN-12.
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