Health Minister Chua Jui Meng today said the government is outlining a proposal to provide front-line health-care providers combating Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) a special allowance.

People under quarantine for Sars - in particular daily-paid workers - are also included in the proposal to assist them to reduce their financial burden.

'Worst is over'

Chua said the suggestions were raised at last Wednesday's cabinet meeting and that the national Sars committee has been asked to submit a proposal with more details.

He refused to elaborate, saying that the proposal has not been finalised.

Last week, the Malaysia Medical Association had called o­n the government to consider a special compensation scheme for dedicated health care workers who are treating Sars patients.

Chua was speaking to reporters after holding a dialogue with Chinese-based organisations at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall this morning.

The minister repeatedly told the audience of some 700 people that the country is free from Sars, adding that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has also declared that the worst is over globally.

Elaborating o­n this during the press conference afterwards, Chua said although the peak for Sars was over, the ministry would not rest in fighting Sars.

"We will work until the day that the WHO said it is 'case closed... but Malaysia has never (suffered) the worst. Thank god, our seven probable cases are all 'imported' from other Sars-affected countries," he said.

"We have more than 300 (notification) cases, but that doesn't mean we are worried. In fact, we are happy people notified us because they have taken notice of our advice."

To date, the country has reported 334 notification Sars cases - seven of these, including two deaths, are probable Sars cases.

Team B

support

The dialogue was held to clear doubts and fears created in the Chinese community because many had allegedly been misled by "certain quarters".

(Chua, who is aligned to Team B faction within the MCA, has previously accused Chinese newspapers controlled by Team A of having played up the issue and creating panic among the public.)

At the meeting, Dr Wee Ka Siong - a MCA Team B leader - urged the government to emulate Singapore by setting up a coordinating committee to monitor media coverage o­n Sars to counter fears created by the media.

However, officials from the ministries of information and home affairs who were also present said the health ministry is the lead agency in combating Sars and is, therefore, responsible for releasing the correct information to the public.

(Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung is also a MCA leader, but is aligned to Team A, which is linked to party president Dr Ling Liong Sik.)

Some of those present quipped that the dialogue was a 'Team B solidarity gathering' because all leaders from this faction - including deputy president Lim Ah Lek and Youth chief o­ng Tee Keat - turned up to show support.

Leaders from other states who are aligned to this faction also attended.

Set aside 'differences'

Meanwhile, a statement calling for Malaysians to unite to fight Sars and "set aside social differences" was endorsed by:

1) The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia

2) The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia

3) The Liaison Committee of Seven Federation of Chinese Association of Malaysia

4) United Chinese School Committees' Association of Malaysia

5) United Chinese School Teachers' Association of Malaysia

6) Headmasters Association of Malaysia

7) Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce

The statement was handed over to Chua at the end of the dialogue.