GEORGE TOWN – Malaysia is facing a tough time combating Covid-19 because political parties cannot come together to crush the virus, said Penang DAP deputy chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo.
Jagdeep, who is also state Housing, Local Government and Town Planning exco, said only through a united stand and policy can the country win the war against the pandemic.
“We must win this war, but to do so, the federal and state governments must unite.
“This is not the time to play politics. We should focus on what to do next, how to vaccinate and mobilise. We must move on as one family, as 1Malaysia,” he told a press conference here today.
Jagdeep said besides containing the virus, another matter of utmost importance is the vaccination programme, as the first batch of Pfizer vaccine is expected to arrive on February 26.
He said the federal government must take a cue from a statement by epidemiologist Datuk Dr Awang Bulgiba Awang Mahmud, who said the Health Ministry must devise a comprehensive national immunisation drive soon to ensure an orderly and chaotic-free process.
He added that this has been a concern for Penang for the past few months because without planning, the government will not be able to implement the inoculation exercise efficiently.
Some 80% of Penang’s 1.7 million population are expected to be vaccination.
“This means up to 1.4 million Malaysians residing in Penang will be vaccinated, and this does not include the 140,450 registered foreign workers,” Jagdeep said.
The Datuk Keramat assemblyman said the state, through the Social Security Organisation and a panel of doctors, has screened only less than 50% of foreign workers, adding that it must wrap up screening by end of the month.
He said Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin needs to present a comprehensive plan soon, as many Malaysians, especially policymakers and frontliners are anxious.
He said Penang has taken a proactive step by engaging the Penang Private Medical Practitioners’ Society, which has roped in 200 private clinics to assist health authorities in vaccinating as many people as possible.
“We are the first state to do this, and we hope others will emulate us.”
The association’s president, Dr Pritam Singh, said it will assist main vaccination centres to ensure that every entitled recipient gets their jabs as soon as possible.
Jagdeep said the clinics are doing it voluntarily and will not impose a fee on patients. – The Vibes, February 8, 2021
