KUCHING: Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said many companies still stubbornly refused to adhere to the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“During inspections, it is clear that they only follow the SOPs on paper but not in actual practice. To them, these SOPs are simply optional.
“With so many outbreaks in Bintulu, we really wonder what goes through the minds of these company managers and whether they really pay attention to how they supervise their staff,” he lamented in a Facebook post today (June 15).
“It really looks like they will just let the workers do what they want and panic when cases start to break out among them,” he said.
He added he had repeatedly suggested that companies with outbreaks must bear the costs of quarantine and testing and provide meals to their employees under lockdown.
Tiong, who is also Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president, explained that these expenses should be borne by the companies instead of the government because the companies had refused to adhere to the SOPs and help themselves.
“I have even spoken to some workers about why they are still venturing around outside after work. Their reply? Their bosses never instructed them not to do so,” he said.
“If these workers and companies do not care to fulfil their obligations to prevent the pandemic, what hope do we have of eradicating the outbreaks and protecting the rest of our population? We won’t have any cooperation between the people and government in this way,” he said.
Tiong said based on the daily number of confirmed cases, it was clear that the anti Covid-19 efforts were not successful.
In addition to the companies’ lack of adherence to the SOPs, he said many cases detected involved housing areas and workplace clusters.
“Bilik sewa (rental units) also continue to contribute to these cases by allowing many frequent visitors to come and go unchecked,” said Tiong.
He said he had warned the owners and landlords of these rental units multiple times to ensure compliance with the SOPs, but there were still many who ignored the risks.
“If there is still no improvement in their attitudes, it leaves the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) no choice but to seize these rental units.
“These owners must check their conscience, not just collect rents and relax. They must take steps to ensure SOPs are in place or have their places locked down due to outbreaks,” he stressed.
