BINTULU MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has every reason to decry Petronas’ complacency in complying with standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the sudden surge of COVID-19 cases in his constituency.
This follows the entry of GOM 7, a vessel owned by Grade One Manjung 7, a Petronas subsidiary, into the Bintulu Port on July 2.
Tiong claimed that GOM 7 had failed to carry out the compulsory 14-day vessel quarantine upon calling at port as stipulated by the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) as well as disallowing anyone to disembark or board the vessel during such period (unless cargo needs unloading).
On July 8, 25 people had been allowed to board the ship and set off for the D18 platform, according to Tiong.
“Additionally, why have only four of the 48 crews on boards been vaccinated with as many as 44 crew members and oil rig workers not inoculated? Today, we know that 24 people on this ship have been diagnosed with COVID-19,” lamented Tiong.
“They include two oil rig workers who were found to be positive with COVID-19 but the company failed to disclose the truth to the Health Department during an investigation. This behaviour by a government-linked company (GLC) is irresponsible and contemptuous at the least.”
To prove his point, Tiong shared that of the 17 confirmed cases in Bintulu on July 25, 12 were from GOM 7 and three were foreign workers.
Of the 17 confirmed cases the following day (July 26), 10 were crew members from GOM 7, workers from the manufacturing sector (two) and foreign workers from the construction sector (two).
“Each time a meeting is held on preventing outbreaks, the company Petronas only sends its junior staff as representatives. No actual decision or policy makers are seen,” observed Tiong.
“The outbreak onboard GOM 7 has now led to an increase in the confirmed cases here. Therefore, Petronas cannot shirk its responsibilities and shift the blame to another party.”
Tiong further called on the Bintulu Health Department to issue a fine to the offending company immediately, and if necessary, to take the company to court for flouting the SOPs.
“This (Petronas) subsidiary is apparently registered in Miri with the management based there,” noted Tiong.
“If the management is unwilling to bear the responsibility, then these confirmed cases should be transferred to Miri to count toward their caseload instead of Bintulu.” – July 28, 2021
