PRESS STATEMENT BY YB CHONG ENG, STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR FOR WOMEN & FAMILY DEVELOPMENT, GENDER INCLUSIVENESS & RELIGIONS OTHER THAN ISLAM ON THE 18TH MARCH 2020:
“Calling all Penangites, especially women to fully abide by the Movement Control Order”
The Penang State Executive Councillor for Women & Family Development, Gender Inclusiveness and Religions other Than Islam, YB Chong Eng, urged all women to fully cooperate in ensuring the Movement Control Order (MCO) a success. This is our mutual responsibility to protect our families and communities in battling the spread of Covid-19.
She emphasised the government’s decision to place the country under nationwide Movement Control Order from 18th to 31st March was to restrict the movement of the public to curb the spread of Covid-19. She hopes that with the cooperation of the people, the number of confirmed cases would not be out of control as the situation happened in Italy and Spain, resulting in severe shortages of medical personnel, equipment and supplies to handle the situation.
She pointed out that all Penang civil servants were instructed to work from home unless those involved in essential services (health, utilities, finance, medical, selling essential goods etc.) for the country. They are restricted from going out from home and on standby to be called back for duty at any time.
She urged Penangites to buy sufficient food and daily necessities for up to 2 weeks to reduce the frequency of going out and hence, lower the chances of being infected.
YB Chong Eng said that the Registrar of Societies (ROS) has banned all societies from holding any activities, including programmes, meetings, assemblies and annual general meetings until the end of June. She reminded temples registered with ROS are also included under these orders. Therefore, any religious event should be cancelled or postponed for this moment. “I am pleased that the Christian Churches and the Buddhist Association have issued notices to their groups to stop all group activities and worship services.” She added.
YB Chong Eng said that the confirmed Covid-19 cases had increased drastically in the past week. Therefore, the Movement Control Order is necessary although many will be deeply affected. She hopes that all stakeholders will give their full cooperation during the movement control period in order to reduce the virus replication effect.
槟州妇女及家庭发展，性别包容和非伊斯兰宗教委员会主席章瑛于18日3月2020年发表之文告:
吁妇女姊妹发挥力量配合管制行动保家人和邻里
槟州妇女与家庭发展委员会主席章瑛州议员今日呼吁全国妇女姊妹在防范及抗Covid-19病毒传染战疫中，发挥力量，全面配合行动管制，保护家人和邻里，降低社区被感染的可能性。
她强调，从3月18日到31日的全国行动管制是为减少人与人通过接触而感染新型冠状病毒，从而希望感染人数不会像意大利和西班牙国那样失控，导致医护设备和人手不胜负荷。
她指出，所有槟州公务员，除非有紧要任务，否则都被指示留守在家工作，不得随便出外，随时候命传召。
她呼吁主妇姊妹不要抢购食物和日常用品，购买数天或2星期份量是为了减少出门，降低被感染的机会。
亦是槟州非伊斯兰宗教委员会主席的章瑛也呼吁人民遵循社团注册局于2月16日发出的指示，勿进行任何活动、会议、集会及常年大会等，直到6月30日。
她说，神庙亦是社团注册的团体，因此，在这期也盼遵循，勿办任何节庆活动。
“我很欣慰基督教会和佛教总会已发出通告于属下团体，促停止任何活动。”
章瑛表示，Covid-19 疾情过去一星期感染个案剧增，行动管制非行不可；各行各业都会深受影响，她希望各界给予最高度的配合，以便管制行动措施能达到减少病毒传染的效果。