Seek advice from MOH before going to Sabah, NGOs told

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 -- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) wanting to go to Sabah to distribute essential goods to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the state have been urged to seek the advice of the Ministry of Health (MOH) before doing so.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that the move was necessary to ensure that the areas that needed assistance were safe, thus preventing them from being infected with COVID-19.

“There are several areas in Sabah where almost the whole place has become a red zone and we do not know where and who is a carrier (of COVID-19).

“These NGOs need to seek advice from the MOH on the situation of the area apart from them being able to ensure that the area is really safe for them to distribute the aid,” he said in a press conference on the development of the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) here today.

He said that apart from that, NGOs were also advised to work with the Sabah Disaster Management Committee, so that the distribution of relief items would be more systematic and organised.

He explained that through this cooperation, the distribution of aid can also be adjusted according to the area and needs of the people in Sabah.

“We don’t want that some areas have (extra) items, while less in other areas.

“When the NGOs meet with the state committee, the distribution process can be coordinated better,” he said.

In another development, Ismail Sabri said that students who need to go abroad to continue their studies, including registration of new students, are allowed to do so.

However, he said, they need to submit supporting documents such as offer letter, resume and study schedule from their respective universities to the Immigration Department.

“Parents who want to accompany their children abroad, especially for new students, are also allowed but limited to two people only,” he said.

-- BERNAMA