KUCHING: Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has advised the people to take precautionary measures and not to move around, visiting their families and friends during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
These measures were to curb the spread of Covid-19.
He said the festival could still be celebrated in the new norm using technology and applications such as Zoom, Google Chat, and video calls to wish to family and friends who are far away ‘Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri”.
“The pandemic situation in Bintulu is still not at a safe level yet; the unstable daily statistics are still worrying.
“If we are unable to control movements during Aidilfitri and Gawai, two weeks later, a high level of movement will lead to overlapping infections among the community, further triggering another wave of Covid-19 outbreak,” he said in a Facebook post today (May 13),
Extending well-wishes to Muslim celebrants, Tiong also said he understood that many were saddened as they could not return to their villages and hometowns to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri with their parents and loved ones.
“However, I hope that we can be patient in accepting this decision with an open heart,” said Tiong, who is also Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to China.
“We all have to follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and we celebrate our big festivals by adopting the new norm, including this year’s Aidilfitri,” he said.
He said communities from within and outside Bintulu district must refrain from moving around or returning to their respective villages for the celebration.
“Health and life are the most precious, hence I would like to remind everyone not to take this unique festive season lightly. All are reminded not to visit and to minimise interactions,” he said, adding that the festival could be celebrated as usual in years to come.
He said when he had discussed with community leaders and village chiefs (KMKK) from several villages in Bintulu recently, he was relieved that all were supportive and agreeable that curbing the spread of Covid-19 was a shared responsibility.
He expressed confidence that KMKKs would be able to help sow awareness within their respective communities.
Noting that the road to curbing this pandemic was long and full of obstacles, the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president hoped that all politicians including those from the opposition would be able to put aside differences in political ideologies and fully strive to make curbing Covid-19 a common goal.
“Let’s use our influence among the people to deliver accurate and positive information to give them more confidence in our nation’s Covid-19 containment efforts,” said Tiong.
