KUCHING, Apr 9: The Sarawak government’s special chartered A330 wide-body cargo flight carrying 50 tonnes of medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) from Shanghai International Airport is on its way to Sarawak.
Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian in his Facebook posting today said the aircraft which took off from Shanghai will arrive Kuching International Airport (KIA) at about 3.45 pm.
“There will be four 40-foot container trailers and three trucks waiting at KIA this afternoon with many happy and relieved Sarawakians,” Sim said.
He pointed out that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg allocated RM10 million for the purchase of these medical supplies and PPE to help all the government hospitals in Sarawak.
“The Sarawak Government will do what is necessary to help Federal Government’s hospitals in Sarawak as it is our fellow Sarawakians that must come first,” Sim added.
He also explained that the chartered plane was supposed to take off on April 1.
However, due to airport logistics, Sim said the medical supplies were trucked from Qingdao, Shandong Province to Shanghai Pudong International Airport, a distance of about 800 km away.
He also thanked the Consulate General Of The People’s Republic Of China for facilitating with Shandong Provincial Government (one of Sarawak’s three Friendship States), the Sarawak Health Department and a Federal Government agency in handling all the purchases.
“With solidarity, going beyond the call of duty and love from the heart, everyone must do their part with some creative and unlikely corners all over Sarawak. We are not just inspired but confidence that together we shall overcome Covid-19 pandemic,” Sim said. —DayakDaily
