KUCHING: Inter-zone travel restrictions during the conditional movement control order (CMCO) affect Minor Rural Projects (MRPs) and Rural Transformation Projects (RTPs), said Local Government and Housing Assistant Minister Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil.
He said business and construction activities in his constituency were also affected.
“My constituency covers two districts which are Marudi District and Beluru District. In order to travel between these two districts, the public have to go through the Miri District.
“As announced recently, any movement from one district to another needs a police permit.
“This, in one way or another, hinders the mobility of the contractors. That was why I urged the authorities and agencies concerned to obtain permits first without compromising the CMCO standard operating procedures (SOPs) given by the state government,” he said.
Penguang also sought the understanding and patience of every stakeholder not to politicise the inevitable delay of projects, especially in several areas affected by the recent heavy rains and floods.
The assistant minister added that the impacts on the economic and social well-being were inevitable but necessary to keep citizens safe.
“That is why I urged the Tuai Rumah to use their authority to refuse entry of any person or strangers into their longhouses and villagers to curb the transmission of Covid-19 in their areas,” he said.
Meanwhile, Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the restrictions were understandable due to the current Covid-19 situation.
“Undeniably, the RTP/MRP projects initially were affected by the MCO when it was first introduced. However, now generally, the projects are being implemented based on new revised schedules due to the CMCO in Sarawak,” she said.
