File photo showing Abang Johari (second right) handing over food aid to Kapit District Police chief DSP Freddy Bian while Masing (left) and Awang Tengah (right) look on during the official visit to Kapit yesterday.
KUCHING (June 11): The State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) clarified that Chief Minister Abang Johari Tun Openg’s official visit to Kapit yesterday was in total compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the current Movement Control Order (MCO).
In a statement today, SDMC said that the accompanying activities during his short visit there had also been approved by the committee.
“As a responsible leader of the people, the Chief Minister has to go to the ground to gauge the preparedness of Kapit division in implementing the vaccination programme as well as to view and assess the local medical facilities, including the army field hospital and symbolically handed over food packages to the people through the local YBs at the Kapit Town Square.
“Prior to the visit yesterday, the Chief Minister had visited other towns including Miri, Sibu and Bintulu for similar purposes and visited PPVs in Kuching in a genuine concern for the people and situation on-the-ground,” SDMC said in response to a media statement made by Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) Pelagus branch leader Kristoffer Nyuak Bajok.
SDMC added that for the particular event held at Kapit Town Square, only limited and relevant guests were invited in accordance with the SOPs.
It said that the recipients of the Bantuan Bekalan Makanan Sarawakku Sayang comprised one representative of an MP, six state assemblymen and four community leaders from the division.
SDMC also stressed that all those who attended the event also went through strict temperature checks and scanning carried out and monitored by officers and staff from the Health Ministry.
“The others who were present at the event were members of the organising committee, security personnel and the members of the media; no other members of the public were involved.
“The Chief Minister’s entourage even skipped lunch prepared by the organising committee in further compliance with the SOPs,” it said.
SDMC said in this regard, it is inaccurate to say that the event had breached the SOP as mentioned by the individual.