Another State stimulus package due
Published on: Thursday, April 09, 2020
By: Larry Ralon
File photo from Bernama.
Kota Kinabalu: The State Government is the process of coming up with another stimulus package for the business sectors affected by Covid-19 pandemic in Sabah.Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (pic) said he had asked the State Economic Planning Unit (EPU) to do a comprehensive study on this so the State Government can provide assistance sector-by-sector.
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“After we have helped those affected by the pandemic, this second phase is to look into how to save all the existing business entities in Sabah.
“Don’t worry, I have asked the State EPU and deployed Datuk Idris Jala to do a comprehensive study, how we can give assistance sector by sector, like tourism, agriculture, fisheries, food, construction, forestry and so on.
“This is to enable us to provide the assistance soon,” he told reporters after he received a RM5.85 million contribution from six State government-linked companies (GLCs) in a ceremony held at State Administrative Centre (PPNS), Wednesday.
The contributors included Yayasan Sabah Group through Benta Wawasan Sdn Bhd and Sabah Softwood Berhad, Sabah Energy Corporation Sdn Bhd (SEC), Asian Supply Base Sdn Bhd (ASB), Ranhill Powertron Sdn Bhd, Rural Development Corporation (KPD) and Warisan Harta Sabah Sdn Bhd.
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On appeals by palm oil industry and the Commodities and Plantation Industries Ministry to the State Government to reconsider allowing oil palm plantations and mills in the six districts – Tawau, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Kalabakan, Semporna and Kunak – to resume operations, Mohd Shafie said he had instructed State Health Director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi last week to look thoroughly into the matter.
“Because I want the facts. And I had also instructed the Special Branch to do the same, to get facts on the ground. I don’t want to just know from the letters from the companies involved.
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“It is not that I don’t want to listen to them, but I want the actual facts. It is true that the plantations are located far from each other, but they will bring their harvest to the mill. Let’s say, for example, there are planters in Semporna who will bring their harvest to the mill in Lahad Datu or other places, which will mean there would be contacts between people,” he said.
He said at Felda Sahabat and Sabah Softwood plantations there are positive Covid-19 cases., adding the State Government decision to order the plantations and mills in the said districts to be closed was concerns for human life.
“I don’t want this, will lead to spread of Covid-19. That’s why I will need to micromanage this. To us, we need to ensure that we go into the detail parts, even though it is very taxing,” he said.
“But don’t worry, I will look into this matter this week. I will get the details from the Sabah Covid-19 Command Centre meeting tonight. But the process may take a bit of time.
“We have already prepared guidelines that must be complied if they are truly confirmed free from Covid-19 and can be allowed to continue their oil palm operations.
“We will give them the guidelines to follow, and then we will check to ensure they comply with it, like looking after the health of their workers, to ensure they abide by the social distancing, the working orders (shifts), using face mask and sanitiser and so on.
“So I hope the plantations and mills concerned are patient for a while. I know and understand the situation they are facing, but this concerns the life of people and we want to make sure there will be no contacts.
“We are doing all these for the safety of the people. We must do and manage the lockdown properly,” he said.
Mohd Shafie also said the State Government is currently preparing the Likas Sports Complex here to turn it into a quarantine centre.
“We are in process of equipping the Likas Sports Complex with facilities and amenities which we expect all these can be done within two to three weeks.
“This is part of our efforts to ensure there are enough quarantine centres here so our people who are being quarantined will have a comfortable place to stay. We will cordon the area so to ensure no one can enter,” he said.
On the State Legislative Assembly sitting scheduled to start on Apr 16, Mohd Shafie said it would proceed as announced but will be done according to a system, like shortening the time frame.
“We cannot do the sitting as it is required in the constitution. I also need to table and pass the Bill on the State expenditure which I cannot wait to do this next year, because the money is spent for this year.
“We also need to explain it clearly so there will be no confusion or spreading of falsified facts around.
“The Government of the day will do our level best to ensure there will be prudent spending for the benefit of all the people,” he said.
On the big flood in Pensiangan, he said he instructed State Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Peter Anthony to go there to assist and inspect the damages so immediate repairs can be done.
On the contribution from the GLCs, Mohd Shafie said it can at least help in reducing the burden of the State in coping with the needs of not only the frontliners but equipment and facilities that can be provided to lessen the burden of the community who are affected by the pandemic.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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