With cases spiking in Sabah, you would think officials would be more cautious about letting those arriving from the state off with a “light quarantine”.
After all, four districts in Sabah – Lahad Datu, Tawau, Kunak and Semporna – will be under Targeted Enhanced Movement Control Order (TEMCO) from midnight until Oct 12. This comes after 1,195 Covid-19 cases were recorded in those districts since Sept 1.
But Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said those who did swab tests at the airports could resume a “normal life” as quickly as four hours – when results of swab tests are made known. Others were told it would take three days.
According to the World Health Organisation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the estimated range of incubation period of Covid-19 was between one and 14 days but the exact incubation period was estimated to be five to six days.
Many are reminded of the Sivagangga cluster. The man responsible for the spread of Covid-19 in Kedah, Nezar Mohamed Sabur Batcha, 57, initially tested negative for the coronavirus.
The nasi kandar restaurant owner disobeyed a quarantine order and visited his shop. As a result, the number of Covid-19 cases shot up as several areas in Kedah were eventually placed under TEMCO.
Acknowledged as the index case for the Covid-19 ‘Sivagangga cluster’, Nezar was last month fined RM12,000 and jailed five months for violating home quarantine orders.
Separately, those who were held up at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) were upset by the long delays.
Florence Manson arrived at KLIA at 2.30pm but only reached her home around midnight.
“It was obvious there was a lack of staff. They tried their best but they were overcome by the sheer number of passengers,” said Manson.
“Didn’t anyone bother to check how many flights were coming in from Sabah and how many passengers were on each flight?
“I felt for the elderly and those with small children. All we got was a bun and a bottle of water. We couldn’t go out to get food.
“I read today the authorities have beefed up the numbers, but why is it every time it is a reaction to a situation instead of being proactive?”
Manson said to rub salt into the wound, luggage was left unattended. Many had to scramble to find their belongings.
“My niece was supposed to come to Kuala Lumpur for treatment but I have told her to postpone,” she said.
“Although she managed to change her appointment, she was charged a penalty by the airlines for changing her ticket.”
Fauziah Ibrahim agreed with Manson, saying: “I had a long wait too. Why didn’t the authorities get more staff in anticipation of the crowd?
“It’s common sense that there will be a huge number flying back from all over Sabah.”
She added she had gastric pains as she didn’t have a big meal before leaving Sabah and only had a bun to eat.
Doris Jalleh was a little luckier, only spending about five hours at the airport.
She also had some “foodstuff” with her and a fully charged power bank and mobile phone.
“My laptop was also working fine so I could watch some shows while waiting for my turn. I’m just thankful I flew back without my children as the wait would have been hard on them.”
Journalist Zaidi Azmi who arrived at KLIA after covering the state elections, said it was more orderly today, but it still took him more than four hours to leave the airport.
“I touched down at 3.30pm. My swab test was two hours later,” said Zaidi.
“I heard from friends what a madhouse it was yesterday. I’m lucky I arrived this afternoon as I avoided the chaos as more people were attending to passengers.”
This comes after Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba instructed the Health Ministry to beef up and equipment at KLIA and klia2 following complaints of a long wait.
Earlier today, Dr Adham and Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah also observed Covid-19 screening conducted by the ministry’s staff at both airports.
Here’s a round-up of The News Normal today.
MINISTER WANTS KL MAYOR TO FIND NEW ROAD FOR JALAN PALESTIN
Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa wants Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan to find a new road to rename Jalan Palestin.
Yesterday, City Hall issued a statement that Jalan Raja Laut 1 would be renamed Jalan Palestin based on an idea mooted by the Federal Territories Ministry in May last year.
Annuar said he supported the idea but only if English-sounding names such as Jalan Stonor, Jalan Conlay, Cochrane Road were replaced.
For the record, Nor Hisham’s contract as mayor ends on Oct 2.
SET UP NATIONAL RIVER PROTECTION AUTHORITY, SAYS MP
Klang MP Charles Santiago says there is an urgent need for a National River Protection Authority (NRPA) and it has to be part of national security.
“Rivers are under threat and need urgent protection. An increase in fines is necessary but not sufficient,” said Santiago.
“It’s time the government considers setting-up NRPA as a single authority in managing and coordinating river protection.”
He added the agency could, as a first step, bring together the numerous federal agencies involved in river management under one roof as opposed to working in silo.
KL FOOTBALL FAN PUBLISHES MATCH DAY PROGRAMMES
Freelance sports journalist Devinder Singh, a diehard Kuala Lumpur FA fan, has taken it upon himself to publish match day programmes called ‘Sampai Mati Kuala Lumpur’.
He has been using his own money to come up with three books so far that are stashed with facts and statistics of Kuala Lumpur’s home matches against UKM (Aug 28), Terengganu II (Sept 12) and Selangor 2 (Sept 25).
