KUCHING: The need to have the Covid-19 Intelligent Management System (CIMS) 3.0 approval letter from Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) for agro-commodity sub-sectors to operate does not apply in the state, clarified Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman said this is because in its current movement control order (MCO) standard operating procedure (SOP) from June 1 to 14, the state allows sectors such as fisheries, plantations, farming, breeding, and those related to the food chain to continue operating but with strict compliance to all guidelines set.
He said this on Friday in response to a statement issued by the federal government which said only those in such sectors who had obtained the approval could operate from June 6 onward.
The statement also said smallholders were exempted if they operate within a 10km radius.
Uggah, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, pointed out that Sarawak had many smallholders in its interior areas. As such, he said the 10km ruling was also impractical.
“With the MCO in place, inter-district travel is now restricted. They too will have to travel great distances and incur extra expenses if they are allowed to go to the nearest towns to obtain such a permit,” he explained.
