KUCHING: Unity is crucial in all aspects, especially when the country is still at war with Covid-19 pandemic, said Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Women chief Datuk Seri Doris Brodie.
She said that to combat a virulent disease that respected no borders, there must be a unified effort from all as well as a strong central government and leadership.
“You need people who can command the trust and the support of the people at large. And leaders must make decisions based on science and advice from experts and not based on sentiments of the people,” she told New Sarawak Tribune on Sunday (June 20).
She was commenting on the Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah’s recent remarks that the lack of unity among Malaysians in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic had contributed to the high number of positive cases.
“Apart from that, effective and clear pandemic measures and response must be in place, disseminated and carried out. They must be done beyond the health sector,” said Doris.
She added that an effective and comprehensive awareness programme must be made available and it must be understood and adhered to.
For instance, the need to be vaccinated, the need to be quarantined when tested positive for Covid-19, the need for social distancing, good hygiene, etcetera.
“There are no two ways about it. Religion, race, politics, status and others should not get in the way,” she pointed out.
On the standard operating procedures (SOPs) compliance, Doris added that after facing the pandemic for such a long period, people at large felt stressed out, anxious and antagonised.
“The progress in fighting the pandemic doesn’t look good. The curve is still steep and this aroused uncertainties and feelings of depression and disappointment. There are many who are desperate to make ends meet and are even willing to take the risks.
“There are also others who can no longer stand being cooped up at home or being separated from family members because of the pandemic. They are depressed they do not have the opportunity to engage with others,” she said.
However, she said there were also many who were unaware of the dangers of Covid-19.
“As such, enforcement must be carried out effectively and not just at random or practised with double standards,” she said.
Doris added the speed and scope of the coronavirus pandemic crisis posed extraordinary challenges for everyone, especially the leaders.
“It is an unprecedented catastrophe, thus there tend to be decisions done at the spur of the moment, indecisive actions and perhaps occasional ‘bubbles’ in communication,” she said.
However, she believed that all were done with good intentions, with the ultimate aim for good and well-being of Malaysians and Malaysia.
Doris said adhering to the SOPs, upkeeping good hygiene and getting vaccinated were some of the ways to show support for the government’s initiatives in the fight against Covid-19.
