PRESS STATEMENT
KUALA LUMPUR (26 JULY 2021) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) is concerned with the significant increase of COVID-19 cases and high death rates in recent weeks. This is in part due to the emergence of the COVID-19 Delta variant which is more infectious, but also from the actions of those who knowingly disregard the Standard Operation Procedures (SoPs) and Government Guidelines, in spite of the on-going movement control order and travel restrictions.
SUHAKAM commends the Government on the increase in testing and screening efforts, and its success in ramping up the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme with close to half a million doses administered daily in recent days. Notably the COVID-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) had announced on 23 July 2021, that 71.9 % adult residents aged 18 and above in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Selangor, where more than half of the daily new positive cases are reported from, have received at least one dose of the vaccine. SUHAKAM reiterates its call for the Government to uphold the principle of ‘Leaving No One Behind’, by ensuring refugees and undocumented migrants are included in the national vaccination programme and to avoid threats of punitive actions.
Until such time when herd immunity is achieved nationwide, SUHAKAM reminds all levels of society to persist in practicing the SoPs that we are now very familiar with. The frontliners’ tireless and selfless efforts alone would not be sufficient to pull us through this crisis. The actions, or non-action, of every member of the community and wider society matters, as well, in the overall equation to overcome the Pandemic. It is crucial for everyone, regardless of their nationality or immigration status to comply with the SoPs, including avoiding large gatherings, close and confined contacts or travelling across State borders, to restrict further spread of the virus.
Whilst efforts are on-going to overcome the Pandemic on various fronts, SUHAKAM calls for appropriate support to be provided to frontliners and their families such as healthcare workers, enforcement agencies, contract workers, and volunteers, to ensure their safety and welfare are well taken care of. There should be adequate provision of PPEs, necessary equipment, as well as better benefits in light of the risks that they face on a daily basis and their invaluable contribution to the nation in this crisis. SUHAKAM had recently received a Memorandum from the group Gerakan Doktor-doktor Kontrak Malaysia highlighting grouses with their employment terms. SUHAKAM wishes to encourage all concerned parties to discuss and resolve issues raised soonest, as a matter of public interest. In addition, SUHAKAM hopes relevant Ministries would take pro-active steps to provide immediate assistance and plan ahead to resuscitate small and medium businesses that have incurred tremendous losses and suffered badly due to the Pandemic.
SUHAKAM welcomes Government’s announcement to reconvene Parliament sitting, starting with the Special Meeting of the Third Session of the Fourteenth Parliament 2021 for the House of Representatives which assembles from today, 26 July to 2 August 2021, followed by the First and Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Fourteenth Parliament 2021 from 6 to 30 September 2021 and 25 October to 16 December 2021 respectively. The reinstatement of the Parliamentary sessions is vital in ensuring there would be a check and balance mechanism in governing the country and allow Members of Parliament (MPs) to highlight and address the Rakyat’s affairs and issues, which have become more acute due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
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Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
26 July 2021
Media queries: Contact Mrs. Norashikin Hamzah at 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 or shikin@suhakam.org.my
KENYATAAN MEDIA
KUALA LUMPUR (26 JULAI 2021) – Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM) bimbang dengan peningkatan ketara kes COVID-19 dan kadar kematian yang tinggi sejak kebelakangan ini. Ianya tidak hanya disebabkan oleh kemunculan varian Delta COVID-19 yang lebih mudah berjangkit, tetapi juga disebabkan oleh mereka yang dengan sengaja mengabaikan Prosedur Operasi Standard (SoP) dan Garis Panduan Kerajaan, meskipun perintah kawalan pergerakan dan sekatan perjalanan masih dilaksanakan.
SUHAKAM memuji usaha Kerajaan dengan peningkatan ujian dan saringan serta kejayaan dalam meningkatkan Program Imunisasi COVID-19 Kebangsaan dengan hampir setengah juta dos diberikan setiap hari pada masa ini. Pada 23 Julai 2021, Badan Bertindak Imunisasi COVID-19 (CITF) telah mengumumkan bahawa 71.9% golongan dewasa berumur 18 tahun ke atas yang menetap di Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya dan Selangor, yang menyumbang kepada separuh daripada kes positif setiap hari, telah menerima sekurang-kurangnya satu dos vaksin. SUHAKAM mengulangi seruan agar Kerajaan menegakkan prinsip ‘Tiada Sesiapa yang Ketinggalan’, dengan memastikan pelarian dan migran tanpa dokumen dimasukkan ke dalam program immunisasi kebangsaan dan mengelakkan daripada mereka diancam dengan hukuman semasa mengambil vaksin.
Sehingga imuniti berkelompok dapat dicapai di seluruh negara, SUHAKAM ingin mengingatkan masyarakat untuk terus mengamalkan SoP yang telah menjadi amalan biasa kita semua. Usaha tanpa henti dan tidak berbelah bahagi oleh barisan hadapan sahaja tidak mencukupi untuk membebaskan kita daripada krisis ini. Tindakan atau sebaliknya, oleh setiap ahli komuniti dan masyarakat awam secara keseluruhannya adalah sama penting dalam menangani Pandemik ini. Penting untuk setiap orang, tidak kira kewarganegaraan atau status imigresen mereka, untuk mematuhi SoP termasuk mengelakkan perhimpunan secara besar-besaran, kontak rapat di ruangan tertutup atau perjalanan merentas negeri, bagi menghalang jangkitan daripada terus merebak.
Sementara usaha diteruskan untuk menangani pandemik ini dilakukan oleh pelbagai pihak, SUHAKAM menyeru supaya sokongan sewajarnya diberikan kepada barisan hadapan dan keluarga mereka, seperti pekerja penjagaan kesihatan, agensi penguatkuasaaan, pekerja kontrak dan sukarelawan, bagi memastikan keselamatan dan kebajikan mereka dijaga dengan baik. Mereka perlu dibekalkan dengan kelengkapan pelindung diri (PPE), peralatan perlu dan juga manfaat lain dengan mengambil kira risiko yang dihadapi setiap hari dan juga sumbangan mereka yang tidak ternilai kepada negara dalam krisis ini. Baru-baru ini SUHAKAM telah menerima satu Memorandum daripada Gerakan Doktor-doktor Kontrak Malaysia berkenaan terma pengambilan kerja mereka. SUHAKAM berharap agar pihak yang terlibat dapat berbincang dan menyelesaikan isu-isu yang dibangkitkan dengan kadar segera kerana ianya merupakan isu kepentingan awam. Sebagai tambahan, SUHAKAM berharap agar Kementerian yang berkaitan akan mengambil langkah-langkah proaktif untuk menyediakan bantuan segera dan perancangan awal bagi membangunkan semula industri kecil dan sederhana yang telah mengalami kerugian besar akibat daripada pandemik ini.
SUHAKAM menyambut baik pengumuman Kerajaan untuk menyambung semula sidang Parlimen, bermula dengan Mesyuarat Khas Dewan Rakyat Penggal Ketiga Parlimen Ke-14 2021 Dewan Rakyat yang berlangsung bermula hari ini, 26 Julai hingga 2 Ogos 2021, diikuti dengan Mesyuarat Pertama dan Kedua Penggal Keempat Parlimen Ke-14 2021 masing-masing bermula dari 6 hingga 30 September 2021 dan 25 Oktober hingga 16 Disember 2021. Sesi Sidang Parlimen ini amat penting dalam memastikan mekanisma semak imbang pentadbiran negara dijalankan dan memberikan ruang kepada Ahli Parlimen (MP) mengetengahkan dan membincangkan isu-isu berkaitan Rakyat yang semakin meruncing akibat Pandemik COVID-19.
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Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
26 Julai 2021
Pertanyaan Media: Sila hubungi Pn. Norashikin Hamzah melalui 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 atau shikin@suhakam.org.my
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