Press Statement
9th November 2020

There should only be one SOP for entry into Sarawak, not one for ordinary citizens and another for VIPs and those on official duties.

At the moment, there are 2 sets of SOPs whereby those on official duties can do their swab test 3 days before they enter Sarawak, and they will not be subject to the 14-day quarantine. On the other hand, for ordinary citizens, they must be subject to the 14-day quarantine regardless of whether they have done the swab test before entering Sarawak.

Such dual-SOPs have caused great anger amongst the people. It is as if the Covid-19 virus will differentiate between high officials and politicians on the one hand and ordinary citizens on the other. This undermines the legitimacy of our institution and authority in the eyes of the people.

Double standards – are politicians better than ordinary citizens?

If the SOP applicable to those on official duties or VIPs is considered safe to prevent the spread of Covid-19, then such SOP should also be equally applicable to ordinary people. Why put the people through the inconvenience of a 14-day quarantine if this SOP will suffice to contain the virus?

However, if the 14-day quarantine is a necessary requirement to prevent the spread of the virus, then it should also be equally applicable to VIPs and those on official duties. Otherwise, we are jeopardizing everyone.

Therefore, I urge the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) to formulate just one SOP for all and not differentiate based on the position and status of a person.

Chong Chieng Jen
DAP Sarawak Chairman
MP for Stampin