Medical works seen in this file photo from the Ministry of Health, praying before their shift begins.
KUCHING: The Sarawak government will be collaborating with private hospitals in the state to screen and test for Covid-19.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state government has discussed the collaboration with Borneo Medical Centre (BMC), Timberland Medical Centre, KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital and Normah Medical Specialist Centre.
“This is to enhance our capacity to deal with the situation,” he said in a press conference after chairing the State Disaster Management Committee Meeting at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here this morning.
At the same time, Abang Johari said the state government is also enlisting the involvement of the Malaysian Armed forces with immediate effect to enforce the Movement Control Order (MCO) at border posts and rural areas, and some in the urban areas to assist the police.
Speaking of border posts, he also announced that all border posts between Sarawak and neighbouring countries Brunei and Kalimantan will be closed except for Custom, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) checkpoints which will be open for limited time.
“Only the CIQ between Sarawak and Brunei namely Sungai Tujuh, Tedungan, Pandaruan and Mengkalap will be open from 6am to 8pm.
“All CIQs between Sarawak and Kalimantan namely Tebedu, Biawak and Lubok Antu will be open between 9am to 3pm.
“This is in line with the opening hours as agreed by Brunei and Indonesia,” said Abang Johari.
The deployment of the armed forces was announced by Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Friday, saying that all three branches of the army will be mobilised from Sunday onwards.
He said that the government is confident that with the military assisting with movement control, the order will be implemented effectively.
He said based on reports from the police, there had been a significant increase in the public’s compliance of the order.
“Nevertheless, there have been incidents which show that there still are individuals who are disregarding the order, and are roaming in parks, eating in restaurants, and who are not even heeding instructions from the police to disperse.
“The police can take stronger action against stubborn individuals by invoking the Police Act but as announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, at this early stage, we will advise and act with prudence,” Ismail Sabri said.