In a statement, Jamain said the “so-called Sabah health ministry” did little to combat the virus’ initial outbreak in February, which, he claimed, was treated as a “tourism issue and not a health issue”.
He said the health ministry at the time “only added confusion to the frantic efforts to contain and combat the pandemic,” as it was not one of those disseminating information and giving directions.
Jamain said the main players were the command centre headed by the state secretary, the federal medical services director and the National Security Council.
“The so-called Sabah ministry of health had no role to play. The ministry headed by Frankie Poon had nothing to do with medicine or health. In fact, public health comes under the ministry of local government.”
Jamain then took aim at former Sabah chief minister Shafie Apdal, who he claimed to have “insisted” that Covid-19 patients be allowed to “come out and vote”.
He said during the election “there was silence from the so-called Sabah minister of health”.
Jamain urged for an end to calls for a new health ministry to be established.
“Let’s drop the political talk and stop pretending that the current wave of the pandemic would be solved if there were a Sabah ministry of health.”
“The Warisan government has been misleading the Sabah people for two years that there was a Sabah ministry of health.”
Bring back the ministry now, says BN Youth man
However, Sabah Barisan Nasional Youth chief Abdul Aziz Julkarnain says there was an urgent need to restore the ministry as the people are growing increasingly worried about the pandemic.
“Never before in the history of this state after independence that health has become our main focus … it is right to reinstate the ministry because the pandemic is not over yet,” he said in a Facebook posting today.
“Do this immediately or else we will be punished again for not wanting to listen.”
Asked about the difference of opinion between him and SAPP, Aziz told FMT: “Why not? Other states also have portfolios for health. To name a few – Perak, Selangor, Johor and Penang.”
In his Facebook posting, Aziz, who is also Sabah Umno Youth chief, said the need for a state health ministry outweighs other matters such as purchasing affordable homes and travelling, among others.
He said it would not be difficult to restore the ministry as it had only been dissolved less than three months ago, adding the staff are still around and could be re-absorbed into the workforce.
He added the government could simply add the word “health” into any existing state ministry so it would be clear which one could be accountable over the portfolio.
“It could be the local government, health and housing ministry or; health, community development and people’s wellbeing ministry; or health and finance ministry.”