SABAHANS SAY MCO 3.0 IS OKAY AS LONG AS GOVERNMENT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE

16 May 2021

By Ilona Andrew

KOTA KINABALU: Movement control order (MCO) 3.0 in Sabah should be implemented but not when the government doesn't roll out economic assistance to the people, say some Sabahans.

Speaking to Nabalu News, Amy Wong who is a restauranteur said implementing MCO is actually the best move to effectively curb Covid-19 transmission.

However, she opined that most people prefer not to undergo another lockdown as they are worried about the impacts on their income.

"That is why the government has to provide the right aids to the people, such as food items that like what the Warisan-led government used to do last year.

"People are worried about not being able to put food on the table for their family and rather face the possibility of contracting the virus," said the Pantai Manis state constituent.

"This is because they know how inefficient the present-day government is when it comes to giving out assistance," added the 38-year-old single mother.

Another Sabahan, Mohd Jumaat Kassim pointed out that the government must impose MCO at this point as people are starting to become complacent in observing standard operating procedures (SOP).

"People become complacent because they are tired of the inefficacy of the government in handling Covid-19.

"It has been more than a year since we were hit by the pandemic yet the government has no solid plan to help the rakyat. Instead, we see more and more political dramas as days gone by," said the fisherman from Kuala Penyu.

According to Jumaat, apart from providing door-to-door food aid if MCO were to be implemented again, the government should provide cash aid to those who are not, or have never been, EPF contributors.

"I think it's unfair how some individuals are privileged enough to be able to cash out their EPF money while those who rely on daily wages like farmers and fishermen cannot do anything about it since they are not contributors.

"As a fisherman myself, I feel that the government is neglecting our plights. Of course, we received some one-off cash aid before and I don't mean to be ungrateful, but it's really not much.

"It's the government responsibility to care for the rakyat's wellbeing but unfortunately not all are lucky," he expressed.

Jumaat said as much as he wants MCO to be implemented again, he would rather face the possibility of getting infected as long as he gets to go out and generate income, unless the government provides adequate assistance.

"MCO is the best way to curb Covid-19 spread, but if the government continues to turn a blind eye on us, we would rather not have MCO and just go to work so we can feed our children."

Meanwhile, Claire Callistus said she knows many of her relatives and friends like herself who are actually willing to sacrifice if the state wants to have another round of MCO.

"Yes, we actually want MCO 3.0 to be implemented but with one condition: the government must give assurance of economic recovery and financial assistance to those who are affected.

"The government has taken the step to declare a state emergency and claimed that it is for the sake of containing Covid-19.

"It has been so many months after the declaration, but we have yet to see any positive development. At this point, just implement a stern MCO and provide financial assistance already!" she exclaimed.

The 44-year-old teacher said the assistance should include wage subsidy for workers and direct financial grant to sectors that are badly impacted.