Covid-19: Certain things a minister must never compromise on — MP
BINTULU: There are certain matters that a minister must not compromise on when it comes to public health, says Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
He made this remark in reference to the Ministry of Health (MoH)’s insistence on a uniform national approach to dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It seems clear that the minister is more enthusiastic about responding to public opinions, rather than fighting the pandemic based on scientific basis,” he said in a statement yesterday.
However, he acknowledged that Bintulu would still have to follow the federal government’s procedures.
“The authorities here would still do their utmost best to implement the most feasible antipandemic strategies.
“I hope that the people of Bintulu would continue to uphold the proper precautions in safeguarding the health of their families and their own. Under proper self-discipline, the cases in Bintulu should subside soon,” he said.
Tiong pointed out that as far as Bintulu was concerned, the people’s lives and health had always been a priority and that was why Bintulu had always adhered to the most stringent procedures in responding to Covid-19 including targeted lockdowns, isolation of close contacts, and running mass testing – amongst other measures.
He pointed out his confidence of Bintulu ‘having neither sacrificed nor compromised any serious action to contain the Covid-19 cases in any way’.
“However, I do feel some disappointment in how our efforts of bringing the cases down to single digits from 200 to 300 per day, had been undone in a short time once the standard operating procedures (SOPs) were relaxed,” lamented the MP.
He believed that endless precautions and warnings were not enough in maintaining public adherence to the SOPs, stressing that such a scenario had led to more outbreaks occurring.
Tiong pointed out that he had repeatedly cautioned the people that they would pay a heavy price if they acted hastily without proper precautions.
“Regrettably, this is the reality that the people are facing today.
“The pandemic has dealt a heavy blow, indeed, to almost every sector.
“The truth is, given the option most people would choose now to live with the virus and take risks in order to continue making a living.
“It is an extremely difficult situation, especially for those who live on daily wages and monthly incomes. Also, this group of people is especially burdened by the need to isolate for 14 days or longer,” he observed.
According to the MP, they are at risk of losing their jobs due to lockdowns and other isolation directives.
“We’re caught between a rock and a hard place. It’s a struggle to make any decision on efforts to contain the cases in our district.”
With Parliament now in session, Tiong said he would continue to keep in contact with the frontliners in Bintulu and pay close attention to the local Covid-19 situation, although he would not be able to be on the ground every day as compared to before.
“We are all extremely worried about the current strains of coronavirus mutating into something much harder to contain, and easier to spread.
“Lockdowns were being implemented in the affected housing areas of the district under the current SOPs and had resulted in detection of more cases and with more samples, come slower processing times. This is known to many frustrated people hurling abuse at our frontliners on duty,” he pointed out, adding the the number of new confirmed Covid-19 cases daily hovers between 300 and 400.
“This is the result of more people being overeager to relax their compliance with the SOPs.
“These people need to ask themselves – what are they willing to trade between their livelihoods and their health.
“The (local) authorities had repeatedly implemented strict policies, based on scientific approaches, to address the Covid-19 situation, but they had been repeatedly rejected in favour of a uniform procedure used throughout the country,” noted Tiong.
He said if there were any shortcomings in the approaches, he would be the first to apologise to the people.
“The fact is I have done what I am able to. There are certain quarters who are dissatisfied with me, insulting and attacking me online, but I have stayed true to my intention – to save as many lives as possible.
“I have even received calls from people who are worried of spreading the virus to their relatives living under the same roof, and asking for urgent hospitalisation or isolation away from their homes,” he said.
Tiong said he tried to help this group of people by sourcing for empty hospital beds.
“The current surge seen in Bintulu has caused hospital beds to be fully filled, with the quarantine centres unable to take in large numbers of close-contacts and patients with mild symptoms.
“I can only hope that everyone will work together to prevent more outbreaks and transmissions. We must work together to save lives and take care of our family,” stressed Tiong.
This is the result of more people being overeager to relax their compliance with the SOPs. These people need to ask themselves – what are they willing to trade between their livelihoods and their health.
Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing