The Malaysian Insight

MALAYSIAN businesses have donated medical supplies to China, including disposable rubber gloves, to fight the Covid-19 outbreak which has affected more than 60,000 people.

Apart from the donations from the private sector, Putrajaya has also contributed 18 million rubber gloves while Sabah donated RM1 million to Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak.

The money is to be used for the victims and as an appreciation of the city’s support for the state’s tourism industry.

Chinese embassy spokesman Tang Tang, thanking the donors, said some of the private donors produced videos and music to cheer on those fighting the virus.

“By extending help in a moment of crisis, Malaysia has shown itself to be a true friend of China. We appreciate and will remember your sincerity,” he said.

China’s frontline healthcare workers are under huge pressure and there is a shortage of disposal medical equipment, such as N95 masks, Tang said.

The shortage is caused by a sharp spike in usage and worsened by the Lunar New Year holidays, which saw factories slowing down on production because of a lack of workers and raw materials.

He said it will take some time for production for such medical supplies to recover, easing tensions.

Tang told The Malaysian Insight that the 18 million pairs of rubber gloves from Malaysia were of critical help.

He added that most of them were delivered to Wuhan in Hubei province where they were needed most.

Sabah Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal reportedly said Chinese tourists have given strong support to the state’s tourism industry and it was now time to repay the Chinese people.

It is understood that the RM1 million was part of fundraising efforts by the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS).

FCAS president Goh Tian Chuan said Sabah stopped direct China flights and banned China citizens from entering since the outbreak began, even as the state relies on Chinese tourists.

“Therefore, it is necessary for the Chinese community in Sabah and the Sabah government to extend an olive branch in this critical moment,” he said.

The outbreak, which started in Wuhan, has claimed more than 1,300 lives and the number of confirmed cases stands at more than 60,000. Malaysia has listed 19 confirmed cases, involving 13 China visitors and six Malaysians. – February 14, 2020.