RM81 mln boost for disaster panel

KUCHING: The state government has approved an allocation of RM81 million for the operation of the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) from January to June this year, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah.

He said the allocation, which was approved by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, also included the cost for the state to set up a laboratory in Kapit using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method to detect Covid-19.

“The Kapit Division Health Office had yesterday (Monday) requested for a laboratory in view of the number of Covid-19 cases in the district.

“As samples taken would take a long time to be processed, they have requested for the RT-PCR laboratory similar to what we have set up in Limbang,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

Uggah, who is SDMC chairman, hoped that the RM81 allocation would enable the state to provide quarantine facilities, set up quarantine and low-risk patient treatment centres, increase beds at hospitals, and provide RT-PCR laboratories.

“The state government is really determined to make sure that SDMC is provided with everything that is needed to tackle Covid-19 so we can give the best services to the people,” he said.

Meanwhile, Uggah reiterated his call to the people not to spread fake news especially regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.

“If you have any doubts about the state’s Covid-19 situation such as the data and so on, please call SDMC or your respective divisional health office and we promise to provide an explanation to your queries.

“We want the people to be given the latest information so they are aware of what has been done by the government to ensure that the Covid-19 chain can be flattened as soon as possible.

“We have done it before and we can do it again with the cooperation of everyone,” he stressed.

Also present at the press conference were Sarawak Health Department director Dr Chin Zin Hing and Ministry of Local Government and Housing principal assistant secretary Desmond Jerukan.