JOHOR BARU: Some 3,000 Covid-19 test kits worth about RM450,000 have been donated to the Johor Education department through Yayasan Sultan Ibrahim Johor (YSIJ) here.

       According to a statement on Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar's official Facebook page, the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test kit donation was a collaboration between the foundation and MonitorBio Group Sdn Bhd.

       The test kits were handed over by YSIJ chief executive officer Fadly Suffian Laili and MonitorBio Group executive chairman Datuk Harjit Singh to Johor Health and Unity Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon.

       "We are thankful to the Sultan for the donation to the people of Johor, especially teachers and students.

       "This is a good initiative that could help to curb the spread of Covid-19 in learning institutes," said Ling.

       Meanwhile, Harjit said that the PCR test kits are being widely used in Western countries and his company was the first Malaysian producer of the product which has received Medical Device Authority (MDA) approval.

       "The PCR test kits save time and costs as it can be done without professional supervision. It is also not painful and suitable for children," he said.

       Also present were Johor education, information and communications committee chairman Norliza Noh, state Health Director Datuk Dr Aman Rabu and state Education Department deputy director Shahilon Abd Halim.