Extra RM50m boon for Sabah Covid fight

Kota Kinabalu: An additional allocation of RM50 million in Budget 2021 to combat Covid-19 in Sabah could enhance the frontliners’ ability to fight the pandemic, says Sabah Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun (pic).

Masidi, who is also the official spokesman for the Sabah State Government on Covid-19, said the RM50 million allocation could be used to cover various types of expenses, including logistics and the purchase of food and medical equipment.

“We are thankful for this allocation, we really need more allocation to deal with Covid-19 in Sabah. Of course, some of our tasks will be made easier and smoother.

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“The addition will give a good impact and make the frontliners happy when we have greater ability to help the people of Sabah affected by Covid-19,” he said.

The Dewan Rakyat on Thursday passed the Supply Bill 2021 (Budget 2021) at the policy level. 

Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, in his winding-up speech, announced an additional allocation of RM50 million to help the frontline face the Covid-19 pandemic in Sabah.

Frontliners, non-governmental organisations and businesses have lauded lawmakers for showing bipartisan support in approving the 2021 Budget.

Dr Nakhieeran Nallasamy, from Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu, lauded the additional allocation of RM50 million for Sabah as being “vital and timely” in order for the State to triumph over the Covid-19 pandemic.

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“Our resources in Sabah still lags behind that in the peninsula, especially because the healthcare facilities are not evenly distributed throughout the State.

“Our public hospitals have enough medical expertise but we are still short of certain critical equipment at the moment.

“So, this additional allocation will certainly boost our healthcare response and ensure that Sabahans are not left behind as we battle the pandemic,” he told NST.

Likewise, architect and founder of Upcycled Shack Tressie Yap, 49, also welcomed the additional allocation to assist Sabah’s Covid-19 response.

“Besides providing funds to the Health Ministry and beef up medical reinforcement, the money should also be used to educate the public in Sabah about the new norms.

“Many volunteers on the ground have told me that residents in most villages do not wear masks or practise physical distancing. Instead, they continue with their social activities as usual.

“Besides that, the funds should also be used to purchase food supply for the underprivileged people. Many of them are only surviving on public food aid donation,” she said.