SEVERAL teething problems have been detected with Sarawak’s tracking device used to keep tabs on more than 700 Covid-19 persons under investigation who have been ordered to go into quarantine, said state authorities.

The Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) developed the QR-coded wristband digital surveillance system, which was rolled out on March 26, and is being used now as a pilot project to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

SMA public relations head Michael Lu told The Malaysian Insight that one major flaw detected so far is that the device is not tamper-proof.

This is from feedback received by the SMA and the state Disaster Management Committee, which ordered the system.

“The trial run has been well-received although there were some comments on system-related issues,” Lu told The Malaysian Insight.

“There were also pockets of people not familiar with usage of mobile devices to log their location.

“Our help desk has been equal to the task on this aspect. We have had overwhelming support from the public for this initiative.”

The tracking device is to assist state authorities keep tabs on people who have been ordered to quarantine upon returning to the state on suspicion that they may have Covid-19, which have so far killed 13, and infected 327 in the state, to date.

The majority of the people that are tagged, Sarawakians and non-Sarawakians, are under the category of “persons under surveillance” (PUS).

They are those who have entered the state since March 27 via the Kuching International Airport.

Lu said despite the expected problems associated with any untested system, the information yielded by the device so far “is sufficient”.

“The system will continually be optimised to handle the fluidity of managing an outbreak such as Covid-19,” he added.

Under this tracking system, PUS are expected to report his or her location twice daily by using their smartphone to read the QR code on a device strapped to their wrists.

The QR-coded wristbands are similar to hospital identification wrist tags.

The information will then be used to assist the disaster and management committee in monitoring the pandemic’s outbreak pattern in the state.

The tagged persons are not automatically tracked. In the event they fail to report their location, the secretariat will call to check on them.

Lu said to date, there have been no cases of non-compliance.

He said even though it is not tamper-proof at the moment, “it is against the law to tamper or remove the band before the mandatory 14-day period is over”.

“If the band is removed illegally, the person could be charged under the Protection of Public Health Ordinance 1999, Section 62, with a fine of not more than RM3,000.”

What is pertinent, Lu said, is for the public to play their part too.

“They are encouraged to report violation of the stay home notice via the iAlerts App, if a wearer was spotted in public.”

At the moment, only those under surveillance in the Kuching and Samarahan districts – the state’s two Covid-19 red zones – are being tagged in the trial run.

Lu said it will eventually be extended to other major towns like Sibu, Miri and Bintulu. – April 11, 2020.