By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Feb 27: The state government has spent approximately RM72 million to fight the Covid-19 pandemic since last year.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg disclosed that the money includes the cost of quarantine in hotels for returnees and welfare aids to assist the underprivileged during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The state government emphasises people’s health as a top priority.
“First is quarantine, which is isolating (those who return to Sarawak) in hotels and in hotels we need to provide food and all those are borne by the state government.
“We also assist the people who have been impacted by Covid-19 pandemic for welfare aid and we deliver the aids to them,” he told reporters during a press conference after launching the state-level Covid-19 vaccination programme at Petra Jaya stadium here today.
Abang Johari who is also Finance and Economic Planning Minister emphasised that the state government is prioritising the public’s health and safety over politics at the moment.
He was answering questions from a reporter who asked the chief minister about the amount of money spent by the state government to fight the Covid-19 pandemic in Sarawak and when the 12th state election (PRN12) could be held.
Among those who present at the launching of the state-level vaccination programme include Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Minister for Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion and State Health director Dr Chin Zin Hing. —DayakDaily
