KUCHING: The implementation of the movement control order (MCO) to curb the spread of Covid-19 has led many people including lawmakers to change their ways of working.
Like most of his colleagues, who prioritise going to the ground to be with the people, Community Wellbeing Assistant Minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis had to be proactive in order to continue to serve.
“We are fortunate that today’s technological advances have greatly helped to ease, improve and strengthen our delivery system,” he said in a statement yesterday.
His spirit has not been weakened although he grumbled a bit about not being able to move around anytime and anywhere he wants. So when there’s a chance to do an important task, he would use the opportunity to come to the aid of those badly affected by the MCO.
“The responsibility given by the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) under its Food Supply Chain Sub-committee as the coordinator for the distribution of Sarawakku Sayang Food Aid Package in N32 Simanggang and N33 Engkilili constituencies has been carried out in all areas of the interior,” he said.
Francis was also on the ground ensuring that the distribution of aid ran smoothly and achieved its objectives.
Francis (second right) visits an elderly couple and presents them with food aid. 
Francis (left) hands over food aid to a villager.
The distribution target was reached last April 12 involving all heads of families registered with the district/divisional disaster management committees.
“There were 4,415 heads of families in Simanggang constituency and 4,321 in Engkilili constituency who received the food aid,” he said.
Francis, who is also the Simanggang assemblyman, revealed that when he was not on the ground, he was involved in video conferencing with fellow ministers and officials to discuss issues and find solutions to problems.
Yesterday, Francis also attended an online conference on a study on Covid-19 impact on the socio-economic wellbeing of Sarawakians.
