By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Feb 4: Despite more than 3,000 new Covid-19 cases being reported in Sarawak since beginning of this year, State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) is confident that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government can overcome this health crisis with the commitment of GPS leaders especially Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“Now we have (cumulative) 5,094 cases. In January, we have more than 3,000 cases, the worst scenario that we have (experienced), but I am confident that with the commitment of GPS government, (we can overcome it).
“Today, Yang Amat Berhormat visited Miri, to attend a briefing on how the operation of Miri Division Disaster Management Committee is managing the issue in Miri, and (he) wanted to find out whether there is any requirements to be supported by the State.
“The State as I have informed you earlier will do its best to provide what is needed,” said SDMC chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas in a press conference to update Covid-19 in Sarawak today.
He cited Abang Johari as an example of how committed GPS leaders are in trying to bring down the number of Covid-19 in the State.
“YAB (Abang Johari) was meeting the Miri Division DMC, there were requests for computers and vehicles to ensure smooth and effective operations to manage Covid-19 situation in Miri.
“And CM approved some of the projects like what he did for Sibu the other day. So we are moving around to see what are the strategy they are implementing in each division,” said Uggah.
Abang Johari had on Jan 30 visited the Sibu Hospital. After he was briefed of the Covid-19 situation in Sibu Division, among others, he promised to provide 10 additional ventilators for the hospital as soon as possible.
Besides that, he also promised to see to it that more quarantine centres be set up in Sibu Division to cater for the recent surging number of new Covid-19 cases.
Meanwhile, on inter-district travel, Uggah said he was briefed that many had applied for such travel and were given the permission to do so.
“We have asked the police to be more strict and to prohibit movement from one district to another. Because for Covid-19, if no one gathers, it can’t spread.
“That is why we enforce MCO (Movement Control Order) and CMCO (conditional MCO) so that we can make sure that inter-district travel may be reduced, so that we can break the chain of transmission,” said Uggah who is also Deputy Chief Minister. — DayakDaily
