DCM: No positive Covid-19 cases among state cabinet, dept heads

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A member of the Fire and Rescue Department conducts disinfection on Masjid Taman Desa Ilmu in Kota Samarahan as a way to contain the spread of Covid-19. — Bernama photo

KUCHING: There are no cases of Covid-19 infections among ministers, assistant ministers or heads of department in Sarawak so far, says Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah.

Speaking to reporters after chairing the State Disaster Management Committee meeting yesterday, he said talks of positive cases involving ministers or heads of department were merely rumours.

“Please stop spreading rumours. Spreading irresponsible rumours does not help. This is not a time for us to joke around and to be a sadist.

“This is time for all Malaysians especially in Sarawak to come together to contribute in a positive way so that this crisis can be overcome as soon as possible. The police will not hesitate to take any action against any irresponsible group,” he said.

On those arrested in the state for flouting the Movement Control Order (MCO), Uggah said eight had been charged in court, whereby five were sentenced to between two and four months’ imprisonment, while three others were fined.

Others who were arrested would be charged in court beginning today (March 30), he added.

Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah

“I thank Sarawakians for their increased adherence to the MCO imposed since March 18. According to the police, the compliance by Sarawakians on MCO is at 95 per cent.”

On another matter, Uggah said inter-district travel would no longer be allowed starting today until the end of the MCO, except for emergency cases and those permitted by their respective district offices.

However, those working in essential services were permitted for inter-district travel, provided that they had verification or authorisation letter or documents from their employers.

The deputy chief minister also informed that the Covid-19 screening centre at the Youth and Sports Complex at Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce here had registered 1,771 cases as at yesterday since it was opened on March 21.

He said a total of 642 samples were taken, out of which 17 cases had been confirmed positive.

“Tomorrow we will discuss how we can increase the capacity to run such tests in other parts of Sarawak such as Sibu and Miri,” he said.

He also informed that nearly 700 individuals identified with the Sri Petaling Mosque gathering had reported themselves for screening.

“We are now still tracing their close contacts and those in casual contacts with them,” he added.

As for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) who had been contributing food to frontliners, Uggah said such contributions must now be delivered to the state Welfare Department, explaining that they could no longer deliver directly to the intended recipients as this would encourage a big gathering of people.

“Beginning tomorrow (today), all food contributions from NGOs are to be delivered to the Welfare Department, which will then forward them to the targeted recipients. This is to discourage a big crowd from going out unnecessarily,” he said.

NGOs or private bodies wishing to contribute in other forms could do so via the secretariat of the State Disaster Management Committee, he added.

He also said the committee would be identifying more venues as Covid-19 quarantine centres to add to the 13 already set up throughout the state.

Also present at the press conference after the meeting were Local Government and Housing Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Deputy State Secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik and Sarawak Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Dev Kumar.