MIRI: Sarawak’s two-year battle against the Covid-19 pandemic was a challenging time but the state managed to overcome the threat because of the cohesive spirit displayed by various agencies and Sarawakians in the fight against the virus.
“We had doctors … experts but none had experience in tackling the pandemic … so much was unknown but we succeeded because we stayed united,” said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Uggah who is also State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman was speaking at the Northern Region Appreciation Night for frontliners here on Saturday.
He recalled that during that the two-year period, SDMC met almost everyday to plan and provide practical ways to ensure the people of Sarawak remained safe.
He applauded Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin who was coordinator of the Miri Division Disaster Management Committee and Datuk Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, the coordinator for Bintulu, for their relentless efforts in coordinating frontliners from various government agencies in their respective areas.
He pointed out that frontliners be they from the medical department, security and enforcement such as the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), the police, Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) or local authorities had all played their part in combating the crisis.
“It was a big challenge for us especially for the medical staff … Covid-19 was very infectious, then we faced a situation where the utilisation of hospital beds was at an optimum following the surge in cases … we had to look for places to be quarantine and treatment centres (PKRC),” he recalled.
In Jan 12, 2021, when a longhouse in Beluru (Rumah Ima) was infected by Covid-19, the fight against the pandemic became even more challenging, Uggah said.
“Prior to that, we were warned by Kuala Lumpur that we must make sure that Covid-19 does not spread into the interior areas for example in longhouses(at that time)…but on January 23 that same year, Long San was also infected … with the spread, it was very challenging for us to deliver test kits, because for a day’s capacity we were only able to deliver 2,500 test kits, but fortunately we managed with the help of the army and the Bomba,” he said.
“We faced problems as cases went up in September 2021… Sarawak experienced a spike in cases but all frontliners stayed brave to help.
“At that time, our Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg was worried because we were close to hold elections … by God’s blessing cases started to decline and that is why we managed to hold the state election, thanks to you (frontliners) for your relentless effort,” Uggah said.
He also disclosed that during the two-year period, SDMC had received contributions from various entities in the form of medical equipment and financial assistance totalling RM28 million.
Uggah also said that Sarawak was fortunate to have Abang Johari who was very supportive in the effort to combat the virus.
“He gave us funds totaling RM300 million and approved RM6 billion for the implementation of BKSS 1 to 8 to ensure Sarawak stays healthy … the people’s health has always been the Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) main priority,” Uggah told the crowd.
Now that the state is in transition to normal life, Uggah reminded Sarawakians to be always vigilant and continue to work together to prevent any escalation of the problem.
He also called on those who have yet take their second booster of dose to do so immediately to enhance their immune system.
Uggah also presented certificates of appreciation to various government agencies and district offices in the Northern Region for their effort in helping the state government fight Covid-19.
Also present were State Minister of Transport Datuk Sri Lee Kim Shin, Minister for Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Deputy Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Development I (Women and Childhood Development) Datuk Rosey Yunus, Deputy Minister for Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development II (Entrepreneur Development) Dr Ripin Lamat, Deputy State Secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik, Pujut assemblyman cum Miri Mayor Adam Yii, Dewan Negara Senator Dr Nuing Jeluing and Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau.
