Tiong highlights several issues during the JPBN Bintulu meeting.
BINTULU: Those from the relevant agencies involved in Covid-19 management under the divisional State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) need to be more proactive in handling this pandemic, instead of being merely ‘reactive’.
In pointing this out, Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said they must come up with comprehensive prevention measures meant to break the chain of Covid-19 infection.
During the JPBN Bintulu meeting yesterday chaired by Bintulu Resident Jack Aman Luat, the parliamentarian highlighted the need to carry out proper disinfection works on several areas here.
He also pointed out the need for the people in certain areas to voluntarily come forward and be tested for Covid-19.
“We must not wait for more cases to happen, only then would we become ‘reactive’ — this is what the people on the ground are already telling us.
“I also urge those who might have connection or been in contact with positive Covid-19 patients or their family members, to go to the hospital and undergo testing.
‘The testing is free; just go for you own good and for the good of your areas,” Tiong told reporters here.
During the meeting, the MP requested the Bintulu Health Office to come out with comprehensive prevention measures such as proper disinfection works.
He believed that should there be a need for additional manpower, the Fire and Rescue Department could respond and come in to work together.
In other development, Tiong said about 300 tonnes of rice, as well as sugar and other essential items had been ordered for the distribution to the needy people.
“The distribution on the ground is on-going.
“We know the majority of the people here receive their salaries on a daily basis, and we are trying our best to ease their burden.
“We also hope that the people could bear with us.”
The government, said Tiong, had also distributed cash aid to eligible households in the urban areas and in this regard, he hoped that the assistance could be used to buy food.
He also said assistance was provided to single mothers in town, as well as to poor families.
On another subject, Tiong advised the people against questioning the sincerity of those helping them by making comparisons between the types of food distributed during the current Movement Control Order (MCO) period, and the supplies given to fire victims.
“We must understand that fire victims only involve certain groups, but now everyone is affected by Covid-19, so hopefully the people would understand,” he added.