By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Mar 19: A nurse is stationed at the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) at Wisma Bapa Malaysia to monitor the health of the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and his entourage on a daily basis.
A CMO aide told DayakDaily that it has been routine for the office staff working on the 22nd floor where the CMO is sited to have their temperature checked everyday.
“It is common knowledge that in times like this, the top leaders in every country, every State has their temperature checked everyday.
“It is also common knowledge that when the top leaders’ health is being monitored, everyone in close contact with him on daily basis – the bodyguards, the press secretary, the personal assistants, the private secretary – are given the same attention.
“It is common sense that if we want to keep CM healthy, we also need to keep the entourage especially the security details who are supposed to be staying close to him healthy.
“Which leader in the world would have only his or her health monitored but leaving behind those working close by him or her unmonitored? Does it make sense?
“The accusations that the bodyguards’ temperatures were not checked are totally baseless, senseless and nonsensical.
“Anyone who is or has been in top management, whether in public or private sector, would understand the whole situation without having to explain. It is just common sense,” said the aide.
The aide was responding to criticisms on a live DayakDaily video dated Mar 17, 8pm when Abang Johari went back to his office to attend a State Security Council Meeting.
He chaired a press conference following the meeting to announce that Sarawak was also implementing Restricted Movement Order, in tandem with the national announcement.
The video shows that Abang Johari was screened when entering Wisma Bapa Malaysia while his entourage did not get the same treatment.
The video was later made into a political issue with Abang Johari being accused of spreading the Covid-19 disease due to his negligence.
“Security wise, CM cannot be standing at the entrance, waiting for everyone to be checked, and then going in together.
“So for that evening, he was checked first, then he went straight for the meeting. When he was attending the meeting, his entourage have their body temperatures checked. It is part of Standard Operation Procedure,” said the aide. —DayakDaily
