SARAWAKIAN LIVES MATTER, POLITICS CAN WAIT
Statement by Party President dated 7th October 2021
I must state as clearly as possible, GPS should not and must not prioritise politics and the PRN-12 over the health and general well-being of Sarawakians. PSB has always been consistent in that in their belief of the rule of law, the lives of Sarawakians are paramount.
Lately, I have been informed by trusted sources, that there is an ongoing movement within GPS itself to hold the State PRN12 soon. Their motivation is that the recent High Court decision to allow 18-year-olds to vote does not work to their advantage, and thence the haste to avoid this unpredictable block of voters. Further as the ruling coalition, they would be able to dictate election procedures in the pandemic to their own advantage, with unfair measures like imposition of a “no campaign” elections.
Let me be clear, I am steadfast in the belief that PSB’s policies, with our able leaders and candidates we will trump GPS hot air. I look forward to provide Sarawak with a better & more efficient government than GPS. In that regard we are ready to fight the PRN12 on a level playing field at any time, however we do not support any call for an early election before the termination of the emergency period, as the Covid19 menace in Sarawak is far from over, with infections rates continually the highest in the nation.
In March 2021 the Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM) commenced the process of vaccinating Sarawakians against the Covid.19 virus.
By the 31st July 2021, 26,715 Sarawakians were fully vaccinated and 9,141 were partially vaccinated.
From the 15th July 2021 until the 31st July, the highest incidence of daily positive cases occurred on the 22nd July 2021 when the figure for the day was 644 cases. During the same period, the highest incidence of Covid.19 related deaths was on the 25th July 2021. The number of deaths for that day was 3.
It was against this background that the Sarawak Emergency 2021 was declared by the Yang-Dipertuan Agung on the 2nd August 2021, to last until 2nd February 2022. The express purpose of the Emergency was to enable the KKM and the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) to better manage the pandemic in Sarawak.
The vaccinations, the movement control orders that were part of the Emergency measures and the mass testing were supposed to have the combined effect of bringing to an absolute minimum level the number of daily new positive cases and the Covid.19 related deaths. But that is not the case.
As at the 6th Oct 2021, the Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM) has on the records the following statistics in their management of the Covid.19 pandemic in Sarawak:
2,085,723 people have received at least 1 dose of the Covid.19 vaccine, representing 67.5% of the total population of Sarawak. Out of that total are 1,872,383 adults, representing 91.6% of the adult population. 1,901,466 people, representing 67.5% of the total population of Sarawak have been fully vaccinated. Of that total are 1,831,060 adults, representing 89.6% of the adult population.
Despite having performed better than many other states in Malaysia in the vaccination of its population, the results that is visible to us today is dismal, to say the least.
From the 22nd Sept 2021 to the 5th Oct 2021 (a period of 14 days), there were only 3 days when the number of Covid.19 related deaths was at a single digit level, the lowest being on the 23rd Sept 2021 when there was only 1 death. On the 2nd Oct 2021, the number of new deaths stood at 26. During the same period, the number for new daily positive cases exceeded 1100 every day.
On the 5th and the 6th Oct 2021, a total of 15 longhouses in various parts of Sarawak were put under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO). Meanwhile, on the 5th Oct 2021, of the 40 administrative districts in Sarawak, only 6 reported zero new cases. Kuching, Sibu and Miri continue to report 3-digits number.
Sarawakians were understandably dumbfounded when the GPS government of Sarawak, through the SDMC, announced starting October 2021 that inter-district travel restrictions is now lifted. And Sarawakians are also asking if the motive for removing the inter-district travel restrictions have anything to do with the PRN-12. If that indeed is the motive, why the hurry when the Emergency is due to be lifted only in Feb 2022, 3 months from today.
Could it be that the GPS government fears the now below 21 years old voters and wants to beat the court issued dead line of the 31st Dec 2021? If must be pointed out that by resorting to that tactic it amounts to depriving this group of voters of their legal right to have a say in the governance of the state and their future as Sarawakians and that is a most dishonourable thing to do.
While we acknowledge that the number of fully vaccinated adults and even teens are relatively high and continue to increase, we also must take into account that children below twelve years old and babies are not vaccinated yet. These are sections of our population whose immunity level is not fully developed yet. To call the election now will be very irresponsible as the adults will bring the virus back to the young and vulnerable. It is proven that among those who have contracted the virus are those who are fully vaccinated. Some have died. Furthermore, even those fully vaccinated are not totally protected given that there are high numbers within the population with insufficient antibody and the government is also toying with the idea of booster shots.
PSB as concerned Sarawakians respectfully appeals to the Yang-Dipertuan Agung not to agree to any request from GPS to prematurely lift the Emergency.
We appeal to His Majesty not to allow the PRN-12 to be held until the Emergency is officially over in Feb 2022.
GPS should not be focused on the election but instead should use the remaining period to diligently work toward managing the very virulent Delta variant and minimise its effects on the people of Sarawak.
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