AS Sarawak logs record new deaths from coronavirus infection today, an opposition politician has suggested that the state seeks foreign expertise in containing the epidemic.

Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan said although Sarawak had generally done well in  managing the health crisis, the spread of Covid-19 to the rural areas, longhouses, villages and settlements, cause for alarm.

Voon said the state government should consider engaging experts from countries that have been successful in fighting the novel coronavirus.

He named China as one of the countries.

China sent a team of experts to Sarawak in March last year to share their knowledge of the virus.

The state disaster management committee today announced four more deaths from infection – all in Sibu and linked to the deadly Pasai cluster – raising the death toll in the state to 48.

An enhanced movement control order was issue for two weeks for Kampung Sebako, at the southern end of the state in Lundu, while the the EMCO was renewed for another fortnight fo Kampung Sungai Ud and Kampung Sungai Ud Hilir in Dalat, Mukah in central Sarawak.

Voon said it was worrying that the virus had spread to areas which lacked even the basic medical facilities.

Rural areas such as Beluru, Matu, Selangau, Sebauh, Pakan, Dalat, Lubok Antu, Belaga, Kanowit, Kapit, Song and Tatau which had remained green during the three waves of infection have turned red in the current   fourth wave.

“How ready are we (to help in an outbreak), given the fact many rural areas are inaccessible by road and many places have no (airstrips) for small planes and landing pads for helicopters for emergencies?” Voon asked.

He said the Covid-19 could cause small ethnic groups “to be wiped out” like what nearly happened to the Lun Bawang the 1930s.

“The government should learn lessons (from the epidemics) that nearly wiped out the Lun Bawang,” Voon said.

Voon said official records showed that in 1904, an outbreak of smallpox killed thousands of the group, reducing their population from around 20,000 to 5,000.

He said by the 1930s and after two more epidemics, the number had shrunk to 3,500.

Though it is estimated that the Lun Bawang had since multiplied to about 30,000, they are still one of the smallest ethnic groups in the state.

Former works minister Baru Bian is among the group’s famous sons. – February 5, 2021.