Suhakam Insists Was Transparent Over Covid 19 Diagnosis Of Commissioner

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CORONAVIRUS | Responding to reports that a Suhakam commissioner and his spouse had not been transparent over positive tests for Covid-19 earlier this month, the human rights body reaffirmed that it followed protocols which included informing those who had come into close contact with the commissioner
"Suhakam wishes to clarify the steps it had undertaken immediately following the confirmation of Covid-19 case(s) amongst its commissioners, contrary to recent news circulating through various news portals," it said in a statement today
This comes after a report on Tuesday by blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin on his Malaysia Today site which quoted an unnamed NGO leader accusing Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) executive director Cynthia Gabriel and her spouse Suhakam commissioner Jerald Joseph of hiding the fact they had been warded for Covid-19, saying it could pose a risk to those around them
Suhakam, however, pointed out it had released a press statement informing the public that one of its commissioners had been tested positive with Covid-19
"In the same statement, it announced the closure of its Kuala Lumpur office from March 11-14 to facilitate the thorough disinfection of its premises
Suhakam added it had written to the attendees of its public inquiry held from March 2-4 to alert them of possible exposure to the virus and had also contacted organisers of external events attended by the commissioners following the date of suspected exposure to the virus to inform their guests accordingly
"For the record, the commissioners involved had immediately initiated self-quarantine and were admitted to the hospital when found to be positive
"Neither the commissioners nor the Suhakam office withheld any information from the Health Ministry (MOH) at any time and advice from MOH officers was closely adhered to."It added that the Suhakam office had promptly provided names of every person who had come into close contact with those infected, to the district health investigating officers
"In accordance with ministry procedures, appointed medical officers were
responsible to follow-up and contact persons on the lists; and appointments made for tests, if deemed necessary," said Suhakam
Suhakam added it is fully aware of the need to balance the rights of the public to health and safety, as opposed to the rights of the patient, and that it stands firm that it had done what is best
Yesterday Cynthia hit out against the claims saying she had no choice but to speak up when the allegation started making its rounds
"This is clearly an intention to deceive. It’s mala fide
“(It’s Raja Petra Kamarudin’s) usual style, and this time on my personal health issues. How much more deplorable can it get
“For those who are concerned and genuinely want to know: I am well, I am asymptomatic, on home quarantine, and taking good care of myself," she said. - Mkini

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