By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Jan 18: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas reminds the federal government not to forget about Sarawak when distributing its resources to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said Sarawak’s policy is prevention-centred and hoped that the federal government will give more allocations to Sarawak especially in upgrading testing facilities and hospitals.
“We appeal to the federal government, don’t forget about Sarawak. Give us more allocation and increase the number of officers in Sarawak.
“Our policy is to be ready. We are preparing ourselves to make sure we will not be overrun (by Covid-19 patients),” said Uggah when giving Covid-19 updates for the state at a press conference at the former State Legislative Assembly building.
He said this in response to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s latest announcement of RM15 billion worth of aid under the Perlindungan Ekonomi & Rakyat Malaysia (Permai) Assistance Package, implemented to cushion economic stress caused by Control Movement Order (MCO) and Conditional CMO in various states in Peninsular Malaysia, as well as in Sabah and part of Sarawak.
Uggah who is the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman said SDMC has appealed to the federal government for an allocation between RM16 million to RM17 million to upgrade Sarawak’s testing facilities and hospitals.
“This isn’t enough, the state also has to contribute. With today’s announcement, we feel comfortable and we just hope that they (federal government) don’t forget about Sarawak,” said Uggah. — DayakDaily
