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Lee (centre) and other government officers in Miri on a Zoom meeting with State Disaster Management Committee members this morning on the vaccine roll out.
MIRI (Mar 3): The first phase of the Covid-19 vaccination programme for frontliners here will begin on March 6, said Miri DIvision Disaster Management Committee minister-in-charge Datuk lee Kim Shin.
In a press statement today, Lee said the vaccination on Saturday will be carried out at Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club (EVGCC) hall and Dewan Dato Permaisuri in Permyjaya from 3pm, adding that the second dose of the vaccine would be administered after 21 days.
He said the frontliners had been divided into two groups, the Health Ministry personnel and the non-Health Ministry personnel, and following the start of the programme, six vaccination centres will be opened here for them.
The vaccination centres for Health Ministry personnel will be at the Miri Hospital and Marudi Hospital; while the EVGCC hall, Dewan Dato Permaisuri, Marudi Civic Centre and Bekenu Community Hall would be for non-personnel.
The centres will be opened from 9am to 4pm with a break time between 1pm to 2pm.
Lee, who is the Transport Minister, said all departments have appointed a coordinating officer, who will notify those concerned on their appointment and location of the vaccination centre.
“The coordinating officers in all the frontline departments are urged to work closely with their department heads to communicate information and coordinate the vaccination activity,” said Lee.
Meanwhile, Lee said the date for the launch of Phase 2 of the vaccination programme for people above the age of 60 and those with comorbidities will be announced by the Health Ministry and the State Disaster Management Committee.
He reminded the public to continue to complying with the government’s Covid-19 preventive standard operating procedure (SOP) in order to return Miri to Green Zone status.
The Health Ministry categorises districts with no cases as green zone, those with one to 20 cases over a two-week period as yellow zone, from 21 to 40 as orange zone and 41 and above as red zone.
As of yesterday, Miri has a total of 832 Covid-19 cases and six deaths.
KUCHING (Mar 1): Parliament session during this Emergency period should be used for matters in dealing with the impact caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and not politics, said Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) secretary-general Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
Nanta, who is also Minister for Domestic Trade and Consumers Affairs and Kapit MP, said it should not be used for politicking otherwise time and public expenses would be wasted.
“Politicking can wait. And if need be, wait for the next general election where people can choose which coalition to be the next government. Election would be held and that is the time we let people decide which government they want,” he told The Borneo Post recently when reacting to the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong’s decree that Parliament can reconvene during this Emergency.
“Then up to Parliament to decide to reconvene or not. Good or not let’s look for the need for Parliament to reconvene. If it is to carry out daily matters, that can wait. If the session is of great urgency I don’t mind to have a session.
“But we should bear in mind that purpose of the session during emergency should not be too political. What this means is that it should not be a venue for any group or party to further their politics, to get rid of Perikatan Nasional (PN) per se, to take over government or to take control of the government purely for politicking and trying to become next Prime Minister (PM) or to get rid of current PM.”
“Let’s take heed of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong’s advice which is to dwell on something that is against Covid-19 and to overcome problems caused by it especially now when we had begun on our national immunisation programme,” said Nanta who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) secretary-general.
“We should concentrate on matters of great importance or those in direct connection with the lives and wellbeing of the people threatened by Covid-19. Lets focus on efforts to combat the virus and the war against the pandemic,” he stressed.
Having said that, Nanta clarified that he personally subscribed to freedom of speech and democratic principle.
“But let us be reasonable now when we are facing certain drastic and extraordinary challenges. Too much of politics will not be good for anybody at all because in the end we may not be able to give our best concentration on efforts to combat Covid-19 or on making sure that Malaysia is safe from the pandemic,” he said.
Nanta said among the efforts to overcome challenges cause by the pandemic are for the government to grant incentives or provide initiatives on business recovery, making sure that jobs are not lost and breadwinners continue to provide for their families.
As for Sarawak, the state legislative assembly (DUN) term is coming to an end in June and therefore the state election would had to be held thereafter, he reminded.
“GPS is already in a very ready mode to face the elections. My hope is that we make sure GPS is relevant and is able to carry on the responsibility to further develop Sarawak and ensure the progress and wellbeing of the people are taken care of well and, protection of Sarawak interests remain intact. That is just not my hope but the reason why GPS is formed.”
“We have to remain relevant to the state and people. This advice is nothing new as Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, his cabinet, president of GPS component parties and all leaders at various levels also has provided similar advice.”
“It is our responsibility that GPS is properly organised and more professional so that it can deliver,” he said.
“We must be able to accept and make changes. Its not rocket science reasoning but very basic. Change for good of the people and state is a must,” he said.
“Where there are rooms for improvements we must make sure that we carry them out,” he added.
Going forward for GPS is the introduction of a new crop of younger professional leaders, he pointed out.
“The mindset of these younger leaders can be seen from their approaches where they are more open minded and do things with more consensus,” he added.
“That is the obvious change and also what used to be useful in the State BN era is being carried over on top of the new things effected by the Chief Minister,” he said.
KUCHING (Mar 1): The Perikatan Nasional (PN) government should produce its one-year report card on the progress made to advance the interests of Sabah and Sarawak, said Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii.
“I believe it is important that the PN government fully explain to the people the progress made under its ministry in terms of restoring our rights under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) as well as development and socio-economic advancement of those in Sabah and Sarawak until now,” he said in a statement, referring to the Sabah and Sarawak Affairs portfolio in the federal cabinet.
The Democratic Action Party (DAP) MP said the appointment of ministers to look into Sabah and Sarawak affairs would be meaningless if there was no progress being made to achieve what was rightfully belonged to both states and equitable development for its people.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he would ensure that the two East Malaysian states were given fair treatment in line with the creation of the portfolio after he took office last March.
Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili is Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Sabah and Sarawak Affairs and Dato Hanifah Hajar Taib is his deputy.
Based on public records, Dr Yii claimed the special council on MA63 formed by Muhyiddin had only met once on Dec 2 last year and there was no news on a follow-up meeting until now.
“In that meeting itself, what was agreed upon is the formation of another three committees that will handle various matters that are important to Sabah and Sarawak.
“So, it is of utmost importance that each of those committees and the Ministry as a whole explain to the public what are the works done for the past whole year.”
Dr Yii said the Covid-19 pandemic should not be used as an excuse for the delay in pushing for the necessary reforms in terms of the Borneo states’ interests, while other federal ministries focused on overcoming the pandemic.
“I strongly believe that this is an issue of public interest as the people would want to monitor and know the report card of this Ministry on long-standing issues that has deprived Sabah and Sarawak of what is rightfully ours.”
Dr Yii said the setting up of a ministry to address Sabah and Sarawak affairs should not be formed purely as an attempt to shore up political support for the PN government but it did not produce any tangible results for the people.
He added the PN government had placed the report produced by the Special Cabinet Committee on MA63 under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and shelved the formation of MA63 parliamentary select committee.
“Our rights and the spirit of the formation of Malaysia should not be treated as if it can cause national harm or disorder for it to be placed under OSA,” said Dr Yii.
KUALA LUMPUR (Mar 1): Malaysia’s next five-year socio-economic development blueprint under the 12th Malaysia Plan will feature the government’s priorities on various matters such as tackling poverty among Malaysians and continuing the empowerment of the majority group Bumiputera to reduce disparity with other ethnic groups, the prime minister said today.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today noted that the government had previously introduced the Shared Prosperity Vision (SPV) 2030 as a continuation of Vision 2020, with SPV 2030 aimed at enabling all Malaysians to have a decent standard of living by 2030.
SPV 2030 has three main objectives of development for all, addressing wealth and income disparities and building Malaysia as a united, prosperous and dignified nation.
Muhyiddin noted that SPV 2030 would be implemented via the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021-2025) and the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026-2030), with the 12th Malaysia Plan aimed at achieving a Malaysia that is “prosperous, inclusive and sustainable”.
He said the policies and strategies that are being framed under the 12th Malaysia Plan show the commitment of a government who cares about the public’s problems and to place Malaysia’s economy on a stronger and more competitive pathway.
Muhyiddin said the 12th Malaysia Plan is aimed at driving economic growth, while ensuring the country’s prosperity is distributed in a fairer and equitable manner, while not neglecting the preservation of the environment.
He said strategies and initiatives to achieve the SPV 2030 would tackle socio-economic challenges by focusing on efforts to regenerate the economy, strengthen security, well being and inclusivity and to enhance sustainability.
The prime minister said several catalysts have been identified to help drive Malaysia’s development for the next five years to come, including developing talents, speeding up the acceptance and use of the latest technology and innovation, strengthening continuity and transportation infrastructure and fine-tuning the public sector to make it more efficient.
Muhyiddin then went on to list the federal government’s priorities under the 12th Malaysia Plan as including seven items, including the tackling of poverty especially the eradication of hardcore poverty and reducing socio-economic inequality by implementing programmes that are more comprehensive and targeted.
The other priorities listed include emphasising on the Bumiputera Empowerment Agenda to reduce the disparity between the Bumiputera and other ethnicities, and speeding up development in Sabah and Sarawak and other states that are less developed by providing infrastructure and basic facilities.
The 12th Malaysia Plan will also feature the government’s priorities of preparing a conducive environment to develop micro, small and medium enterprises; speeding up the acceptance and use of the latest technology and digitalisation, and encouraging quality investment by focusing on high-technology activities.
The government will also prioritise speeding up a shift towards “green economy” to support the agenda of sustainable development and turning Malaysia into a low-carbon nation, he said.
In line with this, Muhyiddin said several industries with high potential had been identified as drivers and sources of new growth, such as the aerospace industry, a more advanced electrical and electronics, biomass and smart agriculture, adding that the government will implement strategies to increase productivity to expedite the shift to industries with high added value and high technology.
Muhyiddin said this in his speech at the Malaysia Prihatin event held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre in Putrajaya in conjunction with the one-year anniversary of the Perikatan Nasional government under his leadership as the prime minister. The speech was broadcast live over national television.
On December 23, 2020, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed had said the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) in the Prime Minister’s Department was finalising the 12th Malaysia Plan 2021-2025, after having held engagement sessions in the preceding 18 months to gain feedback from stakeholders in ensuring no one is left behind in the drafting of the five-year development plan for the country.
It was reported then that the federal government plans to table the 12th Malaysia Plan 2021-2025 during the first meeting of Parliament’s scheduled March 2021 session.
The Dewan Rakyat was initially scheduled to meet in March this year, with the original schedule as of January being: 20 days for the first meeting of 2021 from March 8 to April 8, 12 days for the second meeting (June 14 to July 1) and 36 days for the third meeting (October 4 to December 8).
However, the declaration of Emergency in Malaysia from January 11 until an expected end date of August 1 has resulted in the temporary suspension of Parliament sittings. This means that the original schedule would not apply under such a suspension.
While the Yang di-Pertuan Agong recently clarified that Parliament can still convene during the Emergency, Parliament staff and the Dewan Rakyat deputy Speaker Datuk Rashid Hasnon yesterday dismissed speculation that the Dewan Rakyat would be reconvening on March 8.
Parliament staff yesterday said the schedule for the next Parliament sitting has not been updated on its website, while Malay Mail’s checks today showed the Parliament’s website as stating that the Dewan Rakyat schedule is being updated and without any dates listed for Dewan Rakyat sittings. – Malay Mail
Chang (left) explains to Dr Annuar (second left) on how the drive-through pharmacy operates, while Lau (right) and Siaw look on.
SIBU (Mar 1): Sibu Division Disaster Management Committee (SDDMC) will implement the Covid-19 targeted active case detection (ACD) in Zone 7-Tiong Hua, beginning Wednesday to curb the spread of the virus, said the committee’s coordinator Dr Annuar Rapaee.
He said they were now fine-tuning the mechanism for the screening exercise to ensure that all positive cases would be detected.
“We will start the targeted ACD for Zone 7 – Tiong Hua on Wednesday, after the mechanism has been fine-tuned. The scenario in Tiong Hua is very different from other places, which is why we want to ensure residents there are swabbed.
“As for Zone Sentosa, we are starting today,” Dr Annuar, who is Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing, told reporters after launching the Jalan Oya Health Clinic’s drive-through pharmacy here today.
Also present at the launching were Senator Robert Lau, Sibu Resident Charles Siaw and Jalan Oya Health Clinic pharmacist Chang Poh Yin.
The majority of residents in the Tiong Hua area are tenants or are renting.
Dr Annuar also advised the people in lockdown areas, those in high-risk areas or those having close contacts with Covid-19 positive cases, to immediately go for swab tests.
Phase 2 of the Sentosa Resettlement Scheme here is urrently placed under the Enhancement Movement Control Order (EMCO) from Feb 27 until March 12.
The EMCO for flats and Town Villa houses in Sibujaya will end on March 4
The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) on Sunday said Sibu topped the list of districts with new cases yesterday with 33 cases, where 22 were from ACD, 10 from voluntary screenings and one from a patient who experienced symptoms.
There were 171 new cases in Sarawak on Sunday, bringing the state’s Covid-19 tally to 9,545.
Dr Annuar explains to a patient on prescription at drive-through pharmacy at Jalan Oya Health Clinic, Sibu.
SIBU (Mar 1): The new drive-through pharmacy at Jalan Oya Health Clinic here costing RM45,000 will reduce the daily patient load by some 30 per cent at the state’s busiest health clinic, said Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing Dr Annuar Rapaee.
Dr Annuar, who is also Assistant Minister for Education, Science and Technological Research, said he was made to understand that Jalan Oya Health Clinic handles about 1,000 patients daily.
“The advantages of having this drive-through are many and easing the congestion at this clinic is among them.
“The intention here is to reduce the daily patient load by 30 per cent or 300 people as we want to
provide a convenient alternative to the standard method of collecting medicine at the clinic.
“So, I think this concept should also be extended to other busy clinics like Lanang Health Clinic,” Dr Annuar told reporters after launching the Jalan Oya Health Clinic’s drive-through pharmacy here today.
This is the second of such facility after the one in Sibu Hospital.
The Nangka assemblyman pointed out that the drive-through will enable patients to collect their medication faster and in a convenient manner as they need not wait inside the clinic.
At this juncture, Senator Robert Lau chipped in, saying that Health Minister Dr Adham Baba who visited the clinic last year, likened the patient load to that of a hospital.
Meanwhile, according to Sibu Divisional Health Office, the budget was approved by the Health Mint during his visit last year.
On this, DHO expressed its appreciation to Dr Adham and his deputy Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.
It added: “This drive-through part of our effort to decongest the clinic including rental of satellite clinic and renovations at clinic Oya itself. But most importantly to teach customer new norms and to follow appointment system.”
Meanwhile, the operating hours from Mondays to Thursdays are from 8.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm while on Fridays they are open from 8.30am to 11.45am and 2.15pm to 4.30pm
It is closed on Sundays and public holidays.
In a press release distributed to the media, it stated that the drive-through is a new value-added service at Jalan Oya Health Clinic’s pharmacy.
It added that in 2020, the pharmacy unit at Jalan Oya Health Clinic received 180,276 prescriptions, where 51 per cent that is 92,610 were follow up prescriptions with an average 350 follow up prescriptions daily. This has contributed to the congestion at the clinic.
The drive-through offered to tackle the problems faced by patients to obtain their follow up medication such as difficulty in obtaining parking space, congestion at the clinic’s pharmacy counter and long waiting time.
Patients with follow up medicine prescription need to register with Jalan Oya Health Clinic Pharmacy for such facility.
Upon successful registration, patients will be given a drive-through pharmacy card.
The appointment to obtain the medication agreed will be fixed.
For more information on the drive-through pharmacy, call 084-323355 ext 121 or 013 815 9608 or come personally to meet the pharmacy staff at Jalan Oya Health Clinic.
Among those present were Sibu Resident Charles Siaw and Jalan Oya Health Clinic pharmacist Chang Poh Yin
KUALA LUMPUR (Mar 1): The civil service has to act swiftly to ensure government aid reaches Malaysians quickly, while the government must provide fair and equal treatment to all Malaysians, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin stressed today.
Muhyiddin said cooperation and commitment from a public service that is “efficient, with integrity and caring” is required for the government’s plans for the nation.
In his speech that was broadcast live on national television in conjunction with the one-year anniversary of the Perikatan Nasional government under his leadership, Muhyiddin had among other things noted the difficult economic situation amid the Covid-19 pandemic, where more have become poorer.
“In these difficult times, my hope is for all public servants to focus on efforts to help citizens. This is the number one priority.
“Speed up the process of aid delivery to Malaysians. They cannot wait long,” he said, adding that even a delay in aid reaching needy Malaysians may result in them not being able to cook.
“The same goes for applications from traders and investors. Ease the process for them to invest, start and recover their respective business,” he said.
He said the federal government will continue to implement the National Anti-Corruption Plan to enhance governance, integrity and anti-corruption and to achieve the aim of having a country that has integrity and which is free of corruption.
“Government leaders, whether politicians or public servants, must protect all citizens. All must be treated equally and be defended fairly,” he further added. – Malay Mail
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. – Bernama file photo
KUALA LUMPUR (Mar 1): The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah today conveyed greetings to all members of the Malaysian Army, veterans as well as others who had served the military branch in conjunction with the Malaysian Army 88th anniversary today.
Istana Negara, in a statement uploaded via its Facebook account, stated that His Majesty also expressed his deep appreciation to the members of the army, especially those in the front line for the sacrifices made in helping the government curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sultan Abdullah also expressed the highest appreciation to the families of army officers and personnel who had been killed while on duty.
As the Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces, His Majesty also commended and expressed deep appreciation for the services and sacrifices made by all present and former army personnel in protecting the country’s sovereignty and security.
“I pray that the Malaysian Army continues to be a respected force at the international stage,” he said. – Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR (Mar 1): Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today said none of the Emergency Ordinances — or laws made during the nationwide Emergency — will allow him to rule indefinitely as the prime minister, stressing that the Emergency is temporary with an expected August 1 end date.
Thus far, Muhyiddin said three ordinances — Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021, Emergency (Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities) Ordinance 2021 and Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 — have since been promulgated by the King.
“I am aware and I understand the meaning of democracy. Therefore, not a single ordinance is aimed at allowing the Prime Minister to remain in power forever,” he said during a special address themed ‘Setahun Malaysia Prihatin’ commemorating his first year in office here.
Muhyiddin also again stressed his commitment in upholding the Constitution and democratic principles, adding he would take the necessary steps to advise His Majesty to dissolve Parliament so a General Election could be held.
“The main focus of this government at this moment is to steer this country clear of the double whammy of health and economic crises.
“Once the pandemic is over, which I hope will be very soon, I will advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to dissolve the Parliament.
“Until such time, my colleagues in the Cabinet and I will continue to carry out our duties and responsibilities to the best of our ability,” he said.
He also said he would leave it to the people to decide whether the Perikatan Nasional government should be re-elected or otherwise.
“My hope is they will re-elect us. You are free to choose and that is what democracy is all about,” he said.
On January 12, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah consented to a state of Emergency in the country until August 1, or until the current wave of Covid-19 subsides.
The Agong had also consented to the government’s proposal to set up the Independent Special Committee to advise him accordingly if the emergency can be ended earlier. The committee comprises government and opposition Members of Parliament, and health experts. – Malay Mail
Cristy shared a collage of photos showing her fight against Covid-19 in Sibu Hospital.
SIBU (Mar 1): A 38-year-old mother of one from Sibujaya, who recently suffered from Covid-19, has urged the public not to find fault in those who tested positive for the virus.
In a heartfelt post on her Facebook page, the mother, who wished to be identified as Cristy, said nobody wants to get infected by the virus.
“Therefore it is wrong to say Covid-19 patients did not take appropriate precautions to protect themselves from the virus.
“I saw it with my own eyes when the Health Ministry staff came to fetch me, our neighbours said many bad things to me,” she said on Saturday.
The public post has been shared 3,400 times by Facebook users so far. Cristy had given The Borneo Post her consent to share her story.
Cristy said that she went for a swab test on Feb 1 at Sibujaya health clinic after experiencing symptoms of Covid-19.
Three days prior to that, she said she felt cold all the time and later lost her appetite and suffered chest pains when breathing.
“I cried when the Health Ministry staff called to inform me that my swab result tested positive on Feb 3.
“I asked myself where I got this. I was not a close contact of any positive patients and I did not attend any gathering.
“I only went to a bank and a supermarket in Sibujaya prior to that,” she said.
Fortunately, Cristy said her husband and son were not infected. Both tested negative in their first and second swabs.
She recalled that a Health Ministry ambulance fetched from her home and brought her to Sibu Hospital at 8.30pm on the same day her result came out.
At the hospital’s Emergency and Trauma Unit, she was administered medicines and oxygen support.
“A doctor asked if I wanted to be given anesthesia to put me to under due to my condition. I refused after I saw an old man in front of me…he was in that state as mentioned by the doctor.
“They monitored my condition until I got better and I was later transferred to a ward at 2.30am,” she said.
Cristy said she witnessed two deaths throughout her 10-day hospitalisation.
“I became acquainted with both of them as their beds were just across mine.
“The younger one was quite close to me. She often shared her food with me. I could not believe that she is gone,” she said.
From the ward, she was transferred to Laila Taib College quarantine centre on the Feb 13 after her condition got better.
She was later discharged from the quarantine centre on Feb 21.
Sibujaya is a township in Sibu, which has been at the epicentre of one of the state’s worst Covid-19 outbreaks.
As of yesterday, Sibu had recorded 3,721 out of the state’s 9,545 Covid-19 cases, most of them this year alone. Some 46 out of the state’s death toll of 83 had also been recorded in Sibu.
KUCHING (Mar 1): Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) must return to its roots and carry out reforms to guard against corruption and tyranny, said the party’s state Women chief Agnes Padan.
Following the political upheaval of the state party former chairman Larry Sng’s resignation on Sunday, Agnes said their members must take it as an opportunity for the party to carry out its reform agenda on a fresh start.
“We see this as an opportunity for PKR Sarawak to cleanse the party of all negative elements and to embrace once again the real reform agenda, which was the solid foundation upon which our party was built 21 years ago,” she said in a statement.
She stressed that PKR Sarawak Women wing rejects corrupt money politics in its entirety and the principles of justice, truth, democratic reform and the rule of law must prevail.
“Malaysians have lived through a year of turmoil with the Covid-19 pandemic having a serious impact on the health of our families, the education of our children and our rapidly downward spiralling economy.”
She said many in the rural communities had no access to digital connectivity, unable to access government assistance and even some critically ill patients had been cut off from specialist services.
“The last 12 months has shown how vulnerable our communities in Sarawak are; with inadequate access to healthcare, education, safe roads, clean water, electricity, digital connectivity and economic development that condemn them to grinding hardcore poverty.”
Despite not having a government budget, Agnes said the party continued to provide food aid, medical advocacy and welfare assistance to the affected communities and the challenges they faced along the way would only strengthen their resolve to continue the party’s struggles.
“PKR is about serving the people, and championing their right to justice, healthcare empowerment, education and sustainable development, as well as economic and social transformation,” she said.
Agnes said the party must remember the reasons they begun this people power movement in the first place, which was to bring down corruption and tyranny while ensuring reform and justice for all.
LAHAD DATU (Feb 28): A total of 22 pigs in a Pitas village have been culled in the first phase of pig culling exercise to curb the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the district, said Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
In a statement today, Kitingan, who is also Deputy Chief Minister said more pigs will soon be culled.
He added that wild pigs and stray pigs will also be considered for culling, if necessary, to ensure ASF does not spread to the nearby districts.
“It is estimated that there are about 2,000 pigs in Pitas and about a thousand wild bearded pigs within a radius of 50km. All these animals will have to be culled.
“At the same time, the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) has conducted campaigns in 25 villages to increase the community’s awareness of the ASF.
“These are part of a total 182 villages where the campaign would take place. However, the department has already carried out a similar social media campaign much earlier,” he said.
Kitingan added the ministry would increase surveillance outside Pitas and so far, through DVS, it has already collected 120 samples from various districts to detect the presence of ASF throughout Sabah.
Samples were also obtained from pig slaughterhouses, commercial pork sales centres and vendors selling smoked wild bearded pig (sinalau bakas) statewide.
In the event that the virus is detected outside of Pitas, Kitingan said the affected districts will also be declared ASF outbreak areas in accordance with the Animal Enactment 2015, giving DVS the full authority to carry out disease management mechanism through the District Disaster Management Committee.
“The focus now is to contain the virus from spreading outside of Pitas. However, if this happens, we would do everything we can to protect our main pig-farming areas to ensure that Sabah’s pork production remains unaffected,” he stated.
Kitingan reminded all commercial pork operators to increase biosecurity management in their respective farms and to report all deaths to DVS for investigation purposes.
Meanwhile, following the discovery of a dead wild bearded pig at a resort in Kinabatangan, the DVS in cooperation with the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) immediately set up a team to collect samples and investigate the cause of the pig’s death. The result of the laboratory test is expected to be obtained by Tuesday next week.
“I would like to remind the public once again that there is no medicine or vaccine for the ASF. However, the virus is not a zoonotic disease which means it does not spread to humans,” said Kitingan.
KUCHING (Feb 28): Julau MP Larry Sng said today that his decision to resign from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) had received the blessings of his constituents.
“After consulting my fellow constituents over the past few days, we have made a collective decision for me to announce my resignation from PKR with immediate effect,” he announced on his Facebook page after handing over his statutory declaration in support for the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government.
According to Sng, there had been too much political instability over the past one year and this had damaged the country’s economy and the people’s well being.
He said he believed that the best way forward was to put politics aside towards stabilising and rebuilding Malaysia together.
He said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin “is doing what is necessary to help Malaysians in this difficult time”.
Given this, Sng said he should play a role to support the PN chairman.
“Too much time has already been wasted, politicking and bickering whilst the people suffer. In my constituency of Julau, the poorest in the country, people are suffering because of the economic impact of the pandemic, loss of jobs and income from low commodity prices.
“I have been unable to serve Julau effectively through lack of much needed development funds, which is badly needed,” he pointed out.
With his SD signed and handed over to Muhyiddin, Sng said he was confident that he would be able to deliver his election promises.
“I won the 2018 election as an independent and now I declare myself as a government-friendly independent,” he added.
A Facebook post by Muhyiddin earlier today said Sng and Tebrau MP Steven Choong had a SD in support of PN.
PKR Sarawak secretary Joshua Jabeng told The Borneo Post that he was unfazed by the news, adding: “Anything is possible in politics. I’m not shocked. In fact, I’ve heard about the rumours and the news just confirmed the rumours.”
He said it was not his place to pass judgement or determine whether it was right or wrong on the matter.
The junta has ratcheted up its use of force over the weekend against the massive street movement demanding it yield power and release ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. – AFP photo
Myanmar security forces violently dispersed anti-coup rallies around the country on Sunday, with reports of at least three protesters killed in the crackdown.
The junta has ratcheted up its use of force over the weekend against the massive street movement demanding it yield power and release ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Police and soldiers had already fired rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon on demonstrations in recent weeks in an effort to bring the civil disobedience campaign to heel, with live rounds used in some isolated cases.
Large numbers were again mobilised on Sunday morning to scatter building crowds in several parts of the country that had gathered in response to online calls for protesters to once again flood the streets.
Three men were killed and at least 20 others injured when security forces moved on a rally in the southern coastal hub of Dawei, according to a volunteer medic and local media reports.
Pyae Zaw Hein, a rescue worker, told AFP the trio had been “shot dead with live rounds”, while the injured had been hit by rubber bullets.
“There could be many more casualties as well because more wounded people keep coming in,” he added.
Local media outlet Dawei Watch confirmed that three had died in the incident.
Officers in the commercial hub Yangon began dispersing one crowd in the downtown area minutes before the slated beginning of the day’s protest, but it was unclear whether they used live rounds.
“Police started shooting just as we arrived,” said Amy Kyaw, a 29-year-old primary school teacher in a downtown Yangon neighbourhood.
“They didn’t say a word of warning. Some got injured and some teachers are still hiding in neighbours’ houses.”
Live broadcasts on social media showed security forces using tear gas to clear some crowds in Yangon as well as water cannon further north in Mandalay, the country’s cultural capital.
– Weeks of unrest –
Since the military takeover on February 1, Myanmar has been roiled by giant demonstrations and a civil disobedience campaign encouraging civil servants to walk off the job.
Sunday’s crackdown followed a similar wave of violent action against angry but largely peaceful anti-coup rallies around the country a day earlier.
Several journalists documenting Saturday’s assaults by security forces were detained, including a photographer from the Associated Press in Yangon.
Near the city’s main university, police fired several stun grenades to clear a crowd at a protest hotspot.
More than 850 people have been arrested, charged or sentenced since the coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners monitoring group.
But the weekend crackdown was expected to raise that number dramatically, with state newspapers reporting 479 arrests on Saturday alone.
International condemnation of the coup has been fierce, with the United States, the European Union and other major powers denouncing violence against protesters and demanding the junta relinquish power.
Suu Kyi has not been seen in public since she was taken into custody during pre-dawn raids in the capital Naypyidaw as the coup was launched.
She is due to face court there on Monday under obscure charges for possession of unregistered walkie-talkies and violating coronavirus restrictions on public gatherings.
But her lawyer Khin Maung Zaw told AFP he had still been unable to meet with the Nobel laureate ahead of the hearing.
“As a lawyer, I put my trust in the court and… a fair trial,” he said. “But in this period of time anything can happen.”
State media announced late on Saturday that authorities had terminated the posting of the country’s United Nations envoy, who gave an impassioned plea for help on behalf of Myanmar’s ousted civilian government.
“We need… the strongest possible action from the international community to immediately end the military,” Kyaw Moe Tun had told the General Assembly in New York.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the body had not been told of the diplomat’s firing and that Kyaw Moe Tun remained Myanmar’s representative for the time being.
At least five people have been killed since the coup — four of them from injuries sustained at anti-coup demonstrations.
The military has said one police officer has died while attempting to quell a protest. – AFP
KUCHING (Feb 28): Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak secretary Joshua Jabeng is unfazed by the news of Julau MP Larry Sng having declared support for Perikatan Nasional (PN).
“Anything is possible in politics. I’m not shocked. In fact, I’ve heard about the rumours and the news just confirmed the rumours,” he told The Borneo Post here today.
Joshua said it was not his place to pass judgement or determine whether it was right or wrong on the matter.
“Just let it be. It is more important for us to go forward. I would not want to comment much. Leaders come and go. The party does not belong to a single person.
“We are in the opposition, anyway. We just want to play our role as a good opposition,” he added.
He was prompted for comments on Sng having switched his allegiance to PN after quitting PKR yesterday.
Sng and Tebrau MP Steven Choong had a statutory declaration (SD) in support of PN under the leadership of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The SD was unveiled in a Facebook post by Muhyiddin earlier today.
State Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Chong Chieng Jen was not available for comments at the time of writing.
In an SMS to The Borneo Post, the Stampin MP and state Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman said he was in the midst of a meeting.
KUCHING (Feb 28): Julau MP Larry Sng has switched his allegiance to Perikatan Nasional (PN) after he reportedly submitted his resignation from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
A post on Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s Facebook today said Sng and Tebrau MP Steven Choong had a statutory declaration (SD) in support of PN.
“Today I received SD from two MPs of the opposition who declared their support for the PN government,” announced the PN chairman on social media.
Muhyiddin said the two MPs signed and handed over the SD to him after a ministerial meeting held in conjunction with the PN government’s first anniversary.
“God willing, such support will certainly strengthen the PN government in its efforts to plan and manage the Covid-19 pandemic and serve as a catalyst to recover the country’s economy,” added the prime minister in the post.
Prior to this, PKR Sarawak secretary Joshua Jabeng told The Borneo Post Sng had submitted his resignation as their chairman.
However, Joshua said Sng did not tender his letter of resignation to the state committee but the headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
“He (Sng) informed us of his resignation during our central committee meeting yesterday. We acknowledge his intention to resign. Whatever the decision at the national-level leadership is, we abide by it,” he said.
