CMCO, learning from home get mixed reaction

BINTULU: The extension of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) to other divisions in Sarawak except Sibu from today to Jan 31 and online home-based learning (HBL) as announced by the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) have received mixed reaction from residents here.

Taska Permata Kasih & Taska Penyayang Mama Bintulu operator Maraini Jaafar, 53, said the CMCO is a good way to prevent further spread of Covid-19.

However, she cautioned that all measures would only be successful if all parties strictly comply with the standard operating procedures (SOP) of the CMCO.

“I believe that it all starts from home, if the people are not committed, still ignoring the 3Cs (crowded space, confined space and close conversation) rule and not complying with the 3Ws (wash, wear, warn), this effort may not be successful,” she said.

Maraini said as responsible citizens, everyone must continue reminding each other about Covid-19.

She added the enforcement and monitoring should also be strengthened in high-risk and crowded places such as shopping malls and residential areas.

Meanwhile on the HBL, Maraini, who is the president of Bintulu Childcare and Early Childhood Education Association, said the method is not practical in all areas especially those without access to the internet and would be difficult for low income families with many school-going children to implement.

“If parents are working from home and if there is sufficient facility for online learning, it would be much easier to do,” she said.

For students who will be sitting for national examinations, she said it is important for them to comply with the SOP while in class and outside the school.

For self-employed Abdul Rahman Ibrahim, 51, the CMCO is a precautionary and proactive measure to fight against Covid-19, and it is important to avoid social events during this period.

“We must help the government to curb the spread of this pandemic by complying with the SOP that has been provided,” said Abdul Rahman.

On HBL, he believed that it is the most appropriate way to keep the children safe as it would be challenging to control them in school despite the SOP.

“However for us in Sarawak, internet access is a bit lacking, especially in rural areas.

“Maybe rural schools could be given flexibility due to the lack of internet access.

“After all, rural schools have fewer students compared to urban schools. It is easier for teachers to control the movement of students,” he said.

He also hoped the telco companies would continue to provide free quotas to the people, especially for students.

President of Bintulu Arm-wrestling Association, 35-year old Kenneth Les Templer, said the extension of the CMCO to all divisions is appropriate.

“But please close the Sarawak border, no flying in and out from Sarawak until Covid-19 cases drop to zero,” he suggested.

Kenneth also hoped the government will close the schools temporarily.

“There is nothing much we can do about the virus, we can’t contain it, we can’t even see it and we don’t know who has it.

“National examinations can go on in a very strict manner,” he said.

A retired civil servant, Lt Madya (R) Duke Janteng, believed the government has done its best to ensure the people observe social distancing and with the SOP in place, the spread of the virus could be stopped.

“We can’t determine if someone has been infected, as some show no symptom of infection,” he added.

Although education is important for the children, their health should not be neglected as their antibodies are not as strong as the adults’, he said.

“Home-based learning is the best option. We believe that our teachers have been prepared to carry out online teaching.

“For students who will be sitting for examinations, please follow the SOP at all times,” advised Duke, who is Bersatu state information chief.

Chieng Hok Kon, 38, who helps out at his family’s grocery store in Sungai Nyigu, agreed for the CMCO to be enforced in all divisions in the state, saying he was worried about infection from Pasai Siong and other clusters spreading to Bintulu.

“Covid-19 has been in our community for almost a year, by now we should know how to take care of ourselves, we should be aware of public health issues.

“Don’t wait until the government enforce stricter laws or restrictions, please follow the SOP, no more ignorance,” he said.

Chieng also hoped for stricter punishment to be taken against those breaking the quarantine order, as their act would be detrimental to the health of other people.

“I know we all don’t want to be infected by this virus, but if people follow the SOP and other guidelines, Sarawak will not be in this bad situation,” he said.

On HBL, Chieng said it has its pros and cons but for the sake of health, children should stay and study at home for now, though it would be troublesome for working parents unless they also work from home.

Jaffry Ibrahim, 58, and a civil servant fully supported the move by SDMC to extend the CMCO to other divisions.

“Praying that everyone will fully abide by, follow the SOPs and together we stand against Covid-19. Stay strong,” he said.

With a son who will sit for SPM this year, Jaffry said HBL is part of the new normal and people should embrace it.

“We’ll ensure, as much as possible, alongside other parents, teachers and colleagues, that this generation of students will still get the best education. We wish them well,” he added.

In light of the increasing positive cases of Covid-19 in Sarawak recently, Federation of Registered Chinese Association Bintulu president Chin Chee Fui said stricter control is needed to put an end to the spread of the virus.

“If we look back at the MCO implemented early last year, the results were remarkably effective. But the situation worsened after the control was relaxed during the end of CMCO and during the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) from October last year.

“The failure of RMCO is mainly due to the public having forgotten the importance of social distancing and avoiding mass gathering,” he said.

He suggested that the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in Sarawak could be due to import cases violating the home quarantine order.

“We should learn from past incidents that numerous cases of infection were detected after three to 21 days after arrival from Covid-19 hotspots,” he said.

Chin suggested that the state government come up with a set of rules that is more suitable for the geographical conditions in the state.

“We have a wider land and various townships, villages and divisions. Travelling between villages, towns and divisions should be controlled especially in areas with high infected cases,” he said.

For schools to reopen at this moment, he added, it would pose a greater risk of infection.

“We practised HBL last year – no doubt the results and efficiencies were not up to our expectations but securing the health of the thousands of families should not be compromised.

“As for the SPM, we should reconsider to postpone it to a later date until this wave of pandemic slows down.

“A strict SOP within the examination hall and restroom and canteen must be observed to ensure no close contact and crowds queuing,” he said.

He said disinfection of the classrooms or school compound should be conducted frequently during this period so that students will have peace of mind while sitting for the examinations.

SK Kelawit headmaster Janudin Ab Rahman, 57, also hoped the implementation of the CMCO would be able to contain the spread of Covid-19 from clusters in the state.

“This (CMCO) is a wise move by the government following the increase in the number of positive cases,” he said.

He also welcomed the HBL for students not sitting for public exams.

“This is crucial for us to prevent the spread of this virus among our students,” he said.