Datuk Sim Kiang Chiok
KUCHING (June 12): Sarawak should come up with an exit plan as it aims to vaccinate at least 70 per cent of Sarawakians by August this year amid the Covid-19 pandemic, said Sarawak Housing Estate Developers Association (Sheda) Kuching chairman Datuk Sim Kiang Chiok.
“The exit plan from the lockdown should incorporate an economic plan to revive our economy, protect and create jobs as we can forecast with the vaccine being the silver bullet to stop this virus pandemic.
“It seems that our vaccination plan can be implemented faster than other states, so we can plan and execute our own economic exit and recovery plan as we go on with the vaccination process till we achieve herd immunity,” he said when contacted by The Borneo Post yesterday.
He was asked his views on whether or not the Movement Control Order (MCO) should be extended beyond June 14.
Sim said Sarawak did not seem to be doing well, based on the daily report of the Covid-19 infections and deaths.
He felt that the infection rate was dropping too slowly and as such, the decision on whether the MCO should be lifted must be based on science and medical recommendations.
“With each MCO, the balance of lives and livelihood is affected, when most economic activities are reduced, many jobs are lost and most businesses are closed.”
He was, however, pleased that the government had been caring enough to have introduced and implemented financial support packages including Wage Subsidy Programme and targeted bank loan moratorium during these trying times.
“My hope is that the federal government can extend its assistance till we are fully vaccinated and provide us with a six-month automatic bank loan repayments moratorium,” he said.
Sim appealed to all to play their part and get vaccinated the soonest possible to achieve herd immunity.
He said he would take any approved vaccine, as he knew that after the first dose he would be safe from hospitalisation and death due to the virus.
Looking at the UK, he said they had vaccinated 68 million people, of whom, 41 million had been ministered the first dose and 28.5 million the second dose.
“Their infections have dropped drastically and the death rate is reduced to a single digit. Their economy is to be fully restored by end of this month, except for the travel industry due to other countries shutting the border.
“This is the greatest proof that the vaccine is the silver bullet to work against this deadly virus. We should have no more vaccine hesitancy and should all register for inoculation,” he added.
Prior to achieving herd immunity through vaccination, Sim advised everyone to continue complying with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) such as washing hands, wearing a face mask and maintaining physical distancing.
“The greatest gift in life is the gift to live, and the vaccine will be the best gift that I wish upon myself, my family, all Sarawakians and all mankind,” he said.