KUCHING: The Sarawak Patriots Association (SPA) has thrown their support behind the state government for taking the initiative to close schools temporarily.
“This was done despite knowing well the implications it may have with the relevant federal departments.
“We are facing a crisis and we need to take the lead,” it said.
On April 19, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that all schools in the state’s red zones will be closed for 14 days after the state witnessed a huge spike in positive Covid-19 cases recently.
Abang Johari’s announcement did not augur well with Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the latter then said on April 23 that state governments should refrain from taking the matter into their own hands and to consult with the relevant ministries first.
In defending the state government’s decision, SPA pointed out that according to the Health Ministry; there were 39 clusters with 1,420 cases with subcategories of schools and institutions detected from the beginning of the year until April 20.
“It was a worrying trend and furthermore, clusters involving educational institutions have doubled during the past week,” it said in a press statement issued by its secretary David Hii Chin Loong today (Apr 24).
SPA then reminded that Sarawak is not a state and therefore should not be categorised as one.
It added that the formation of the expanded federation known as Malaysia was based on the participation of Sabah and Sarawak.
“At all material times, Sarawak was to be treated as an equal partner in line with the true intention and spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“In this regard and true spirit of the agreement, the power for education and health autonomy lies with the state government and this should be returned to Sarawak immediately,” it said.
SPA then called on all the Sarawakians parliamentary lawmakers to urge and push for Parliament to reconvene so all matters related to the state could be heard and dealt with immediately.
“They include necessary debates and amendments to the Federal Constitution in reclaiming our eroded and lost rights,” it added.
