KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Health and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Frankie Poon Ming Fung today said the management of Covid-19 cases in the state falls under the purview of the State Disaster Management Committee and not his ministry.
“As such, I have not made any statements because everything is under the control and directive of the (Covid-19) Command Centre.
“This crisis is unprecedented. We all should stay calm, speak when necessary and not mislead people," he said.
He said many people had misunderstood and thought that the handling of the Covid-19 crisis came under his ministry.
Poon explained that only four individuals were authorised to disseminate information and data on health-related matters.
They are the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Health Minister and the Health director-general.
“In Sabah, the state Health Department director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi is authorised to disseminate information on behalf of the state government on television and radio with regards to the Covid-19 outbreak.
“I continue to run the (state Heallth and People’s Wellbeing) Ministry and assist on any matters under my Ministry.
“The state government has always been very concerned and worried about Covid-19 and was one of the earliest, if not the first in the world to halt entry of travellers from countries with serious Covid-19 problem.
“We knew Covid-19 would come one day; the question was when. And we have continued to monitor people coming into Sabah ever since,” he said.
On Jan 30, Sabah state government had temporarily suspended all flights from China with immediate effect following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, which was first detected in Wuhan.
The travel restriction has since been imposed on South Korea, Italy, and Iran.
He also noted medical items such as personal protection equipment was slow to arrive due to supply issues, adding that those who wish to make contribution to respective district hospitals were welcomed to do so.
“Meanwhile, the government has already directed everyone to stay home at all times. Let us try to understand the rational and spirit of this Order.
“If all of us stay home and only go out when necessary, our need for face masks and sanitisers will be less. Thus, allowing the frontliners to obtain them for use.
“Face masks give a false sense of security to many. Moreover, I have noticed that many people do not know the rules for wearing a face mask. A user must avoid touching his face mask again after putting it on.” he noted.