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Call on Chua Jui Meng to clarify whether it is the task of Transport Ministry to decide if there is a need for those who have just returned from SARS infected countries to be quarantined   Press Statement by Chong Eng (Petaling Jaya, Saturday): The Health Minister Datuk Chua Jui Meng should clarify whether it is the task of Transport Ministry to decide if there is a need for those who have just returned from SARS infected countries to be quarantined. I was informed that the Bentong Sg. Gapoi MCA branch had put up an announcement at bus stops that residents of the Sg. Gapoi new village in Bentong who have just returned from places affected by SARS should stay at home for ten days. Following the announcement which was put up at bus stops, several villagers who had just returned home from China were urged to quarantine themselves for 10 days. What right does the MCA branch have to make such an announcement considering that even the Health Ministry have not issue an official directive for quarantine? Unlike the Singapore government, which has laid down such a directive as a preventive measure, the Malaysian Health Ministry has not followed suit. Hence, Chua should explain whether those who come back from SARS affected countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Hanoi and Guangdong need to stay at home so as to clear the confusion amongst the public. Oterhwise, he should make it clear that, as disclosed by him yesterday at the daily press conference, that 'the Transport Ministry is playing the "most critical role among agencies" in handling the matter (in terms of passenger arrivals)'. At the same time, Chua should also disclose how many out of the 70 suspected SARS patients contracted the virus as a result of visiting countries affected by SARS so that the public can have a clearer picture. (5/4/2003) * Chong Eng, MP for Bukit Mertajam and DAP Wanita Chairperson