Mayor: Big no to discriminating Covid-19 victims
KUCHING: Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng is appealing to everyone to never discriminate against those infected with Covid19 and their families.
He made this call in connection with two recent Covid-19 positive cases in Kenyalang Park here, where neighbours had been circulating personal details and photos of the victims on social media, causing mental stress to the affected individuals and their families.
“If the public could not give any moral support, then please, do not hurt them,” he told reporters after the launch of contacttracing applications ‘CovidTrace’ and ‘ Qmunity’ at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.
Wee stressed that such discrimination on social should not have occurred in the first place, in that it would only aggravate the social stigma associated with those infected with Covid-19 and their families.
“It is not fair to them because nobody wants to get the disease. They do not know where they got the infection either. Sarawakians are known to be more loving and they care for one another. It’s not right to spread this (photos and personal details of the victims) around and start insulting them.
“Let’s work together and fight Covid-19 together – don’t victimise the victims,” he said.
According to Wee, the victims have lodged police reports and also filed complaints with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
In relation to this, he said he went down to Kenyalang Market here recently, where the traders there were also affected by this issue.
“I went (to the market) to show moral support. Pray for them (the victims) and give them moral support; please, do not disturb the families anymore,” he added.
Meanwhile on Qmunity, Wee said the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) kicked off the app at Stutong Community Market here in April this year and since then, the number of registered users had reached 134,222.
“We (Qmunity) rank No 2 on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Qmunity is convenient as the users would just need to scan the QR code upon entry into various premises, since some individuals refuse to provide personal information when it comes to this,” said the mayor, adding that private hospitals here such as KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital and Borneo Medical Centre would also be adopting the same approach in recording visitors’ entries.
“Now that the Sarawak government is endorsing the app, it is not restricted to MBKS areas anymore,” said Wee.
Sarawakians are known to be more loving and they care for one another. It’s not right to spread this (photos and personal details of the victims) around and start insulting them. Let’s work together and fight Covid-19 together – don’t victimise the victims Dato Wee Hong Seng