'Support and respect Sabah's move to relax SOPs'

 By Olivia Miwil, Izwan Abdullah - June 30, 2021 @ 11:18am

People dining in at restaurant despite there is no clear standard operating procedures issued by Sabah government. - NSTP/Olivia Miwil.

KOTA KINABALU: People, including the opposition should support the state's decision to relax some SOPs under Phase 1 of the National Recovery Plan, said Sabah Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) secretary Mohamed Razali Razi.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor had on June 28 announced the state would maintain most of the standard operating procedures except for some social and economic sectors.

The SOPs which include allowing dine in, barber shops and roadside stalls, golfing, fishing and cycling among others have been submitted to the federal government for gazettement.

Mohamed added that SOPs should be flexible for states with a low number of Covid-19 cases.

"The Chief Minister's intention is just and right as he has seen the people give their best in complying with SOPs to be with the frontliners in battling the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The decision by the state government under Gabungan Rakyat Sabah obviously has its own methods by taking note of the people's grievances in the state, especially with regards the welfare and survival of the people.

"It is a right decision for the state government to allow several economic sectors and businesses to operate while following the SOPs.

"This would reduce the financial burdens faced by businessmen who could not operate for a long time due to the Movement Control Order 3.0," he said in a statement.

He also said this is the time for everyone to help each other to ensure Sabah is free from Covid-19 by achieving herd immunity targets so that life could resume as it was.

Sabah Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (Pas) secretary Dr Aliakbar Gulasan echoed the same sentiment, but reminded that the state government has to commit and be strict in monitoring the relaxations.

"If the daily infections exceed 200 cases, the state government under the leadership of the Chief Minister should take preventive measures.

"It includes tightening and limiting the operations for economic sectors and businesses."

Former chief minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak also said the Federal government has to cooperate with the state in relation to the new proposed SOPs.

"I fully support the Chief Minister and state government's actions in exercising the SOP relaxation for Sabah.

"We have to understand that we are now in the National Recovery Plan and not Movement Control Order. By right, we should focus on the recovery of Sabah based on SOP adjustments according to the latest situations.

"I believe the state government has taken consideration on all factors. Therefore, the federal government has to respect the decision and cooperate with Sabah."