KUCHING: The authorities will conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged failure of officials at the Semuja immigration detention centre in Serian to observe the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
They said that this could have been the reason for the centre to have recorded nearly two-thirds of the state’s positive Covid-19 cases over the last two days.
Sarawak Disaster Management Committee Chairman Douglas Uggah Embas said they have received the report claiming that the centre had failed to adhere to the SOPs when admitting new detainees, resulting in the spread of Covid-19 there.
“We will leave no stone unturned in our investigation as such an irresponsible action has jeopardised everyone’s health. The SOPs should have been strictly complied with,” he said.
The Semuja centre accounted for 138 of the 407 positive cases recorded in Sarawak today.
Uggah, also the deputy chief minister, urged commandants at all detention centres and prisons to ensure SOPs are followed strictly at all times.
“Do not take things for granted, take this responsibility seriously. Any negligence can result in devastating consequences.” he stressed.
The Semuja Immigration Depot Cluster declared yesterday now has a total of 245 cases while 137 tests were awaiting results.