All health issues should come under state's purview, says Sabah DCM

 By Olivia Miwil - August 30, 2021 @ 3:26pm

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (right) said all health issues should be managed by the state to ensure better handling of pandemic or disease outbreak. - NSTP/ OLIVIA MIWIL

PENAMPANG: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said all health issues should be managed by the state to ensure better handling of pandemic or disease outbreak.

He was responding to Sabah UPKO Kadamaian assemblyman Datuk Ewon Benedick and DAP's Luyang assemblyman Ginger Phoong who submitted a special motion to pass and gazette a new enactment to manage disease control in Sabah.

Both of them hoped the motion would be debated during the state assembly sitting from Sept 21-23.

The Sabah Public Health Ordinance 1960 does not cover matters related to the control of infectious diseases, thus the state has no authority to implement its own standard operating procedures.

"I agree with them and I understand the need to have our own laws to handle the pandemic and (infectious) diseases in Sabah, in fact, I have voiced this before.

"However, we cannot simply form a ministry if it has no jurisdiction. An Enactment should be created (passed) to support it," he said during a press conference on the endorsement of the settlement of derogatory remarks by lawyer Marcel Jude towards an Unduk Ngadau pageant contest.

Jeffrey Kitingan, who is also Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku president, said apart from an enactment, the state would require funds to run its course under the said ministry or body in managing health issues in Sabah.

Asked whether he would also propose the enactment, he said he would do so within two years.

Earlier, Jeffrey who is also deputy president of the KadazanDusun Cultural Association, said the mediation between Marcel and seven associations had been endorsed and recorded by the Penampang Native Court.

Jeffrey hoped the case would not be mentioned again and people would respect each other.

"Both sides have agreed to the solution and the case has been resolved and Marcel had accepted the fine of seven buffaloes.

"Marcel will also not take any legal action against any associations and vice versa," he said, adding the mediation was also witnessed by district native chiefs from Membakut, Kota Kinabalu, Tamparuli, Tuaran as well as Kiulu.

"Tomorrow is national day, we have to stay united and be in solidarity to continue supporting our government."