Dato Sri Tiong King Sing
BINTULU (June 21): The government’s free large-scale Covid-19 testing was how high-risk areas here were detected, said Bintulu MP Dato Sri Tiong King Sing.
In response to Tanjong Batu assemblyman Chiew Chin Sing’s claim that the government failed to conduct free large-scale Covid-19 testing, Tiong said it showed Chiew’s lack of understanding of the real situation in the field.
“I would like to emphasise that without large-scale testing in Bintulu, how can the authorities display relevant data and identify high risk areas to implement ‘lockdown’ including in the Sungai Plan and PPR Bandaria Park areas?
“In fact, there were free large-scale screening tests carried out involving tens of thousands of residents in the two areas. Chiew should read the newspaper, or call me if he is unsure before making his statement,” said Tiong in a statement.
He said although the general ‘lockdown’ of PPR Bandaria Park has been lifted, some of the blocks are still under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) as there are still confirmed cases detected.
Tiong stressed that the measure was taken to protect the people there, otherwise the government’s efforts to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic would simply be in vain.
He suggested perhaps the Health Department was slow in announcing the relevant information.
However, he hoped the public would be mindful of the constraints faced by the authorities, which included manpower shortages as confirmed cases continued to rise.
“The relevant staff bear the workload of collecting test samples and processing them in the laboratory, handling treatment of positive diagnosed cases, isolating close contacts, and vaccination programmes.
“Perhaps Bintulu’s anti-Covid-19 policy is a little different from other districts but Chiew cannot compare the situation faced by other towns, thus sparking controversy based on this matter,” Tiong said.
He called on the assemblyman to help by focusing on ensuring all citizens are vaccinated against Covid-19 as soon as possible.
“I apologise on behalf of the Health Department if it causes inconvenience to all as a result of not having time to announce all standard operating procedures (SOPs) and related information.
“Public health is still the priority of the department, they will act quickly as soon as they detect legitimate cases, positive cases, and close contacts will continue to be picked up and sent for treatment, isolation. They will also identify and take action to address the high-risk areas where the case is first detected,” said Tiong.
He suggested the Democratic Action Party (DAP) refocus its efforts from merely attacking the state government every day during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Before pointing fingers at others, they should review what was achieved when Pakatan Harapan (PH) ruled 22 months ago,” he said, adding Chiew should evaluate himself before condemning the government’s efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19 as not transparent.
“Did Pakatan Harapan ministers disclose everything about their policies to the public? It’s more like playing online propaganda and telling stories about the past.”
Tiong also welcomed Chiew to provide views if he had a more effective solution.
“Previously, I had stressed that only private companies that detected with Covid-19 infection and triggered a cluster among their employees would have to bear the cost of testing and food for their staff under lockdown,” he said.
He questioned if it is wise to use taxpayers’ money as suggested by Chiew to cover the companies that clearly failed to ensure their workforce works in a safe and Covid-19 free environment.
He also called on Chiew to fulfil his responsibility to ensure people strictly comply with the standard operating procedures and encourage more cooperation to fight the pandemic.
“Although the number of cases has been reduced to double digits, it still fluctuates between 40 and 90 cases per day. We are no longer safe until the number reaches zero,” Tiong added.