KUCHING: Since COVID-19’s outbreak, the Sarawak government has spent a total of RM560 million to combat the deadly virus.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that being a responsible and caring government, a sum of RM300 million was allocated for Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) operations, which included the building of a lab and equipment for COVID-19.
“This has enabled SDMC to set up and pay for quarantine centres, vaccine purchases, medical equipment, a few hospitals, medical labs and others for the smooth implementation of policy on the ground.
“In addition, RM260 million had been set aside for the quarantine at the hotels.
“In other words, RM560 million is allocated during COVID-19 for the last two years,” he said at the COVID-19 Frontliners Appreciation Night at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here yesterday.
Furthermore, he said that the painful impact of movement controls across the country had a negative influence on Sarawakians’ incomes, which is why the state government had to spend RM6.7 billion as part of the Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 1.0 to 8.0.
At the same time, he also thanked generous contributors for their financial support, equipment and facilities, which had lessened the burden of the public institution.
“SDMC has received personal protective equipment, medical equipment and other materials worth approximately RM28 million from a total of 127 parties, including foreign and local governments, government-linked companies, corporates, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and individuals,” he added.
Also present were deputy premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian as well as Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
