MIRI – The state authorities are investigating claims circulating on social media of an elderly Sarawakian woman who allegedly died due to heart failure in an ambulance at the Brunei-Sarawak border.
It was also alleged that the entry gate remained locked despite the medical emergency.
State Deputy Tourism, Culture and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting today said he and the Miri Immigration Department are looking into the allegations.
He told The Vibes that the authorities were trying to ascertain the ambulance’s location during the incident and what had transpired there.
“At the moment, we are not sure of the circumstances surrounding this case.
“I have contacted the Miri Immigration Department to find out the details and which side of the border the incident took place.
“Whoever was manning the border gate on either side must have the keys at all times, so that in cases of emergencies, the gate must be unlocked without delay.”
Ting is also Piasau assemblyman and Sarawak United People's Party secretary-general.
The incident was first highlighted by a pastor from Lawas, who alleged that early Tuesday, the woman had suffered heart problems and the Lawas Hospital decided to rush her to the Miri Hospital in an ambulance via land across Brunei.
The pastor claimed that the ambulance had reached the Brunei-Miri border checkpoint at about 1.30am Tuesday.
He claimed that the patient died in the ambulance when they could not get past the gate at the Sg Tujuh checkpoint.
He added that the gate was locked and the officer who had the key was not around but they managed to get help from Rela volunteers in Miri to help break the lock open.
Miri Hospital is about 30km from the border checkpoint.
The pastor claimed that the woman had died when the ambulance reached the Miri Hospital around 3am.
The border is closed between midnight and 6am daily.
There have been repeated calls for border districts of Miri, Limbang and Lawas to be connected via a highway bypassing Brunei.
At present, the land route connecting Miri-Limbang-Lawas has to go through Brunei territories. – The Vibes, December 8, 2022
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