GEORGE TOWN – A Barisan Nasional leader has cast doubt on Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow’s sincerity in addressing an alleged blunder involving a purported Covid-19 vaccine donation offer to Penang by a Sabah-based businessman.
Penang Wanita BN chief Datuk Norliza Abdul Rahim today slammed Chow’s apology over the two million Sinovac donation issue as insincere, claiming that it is a political ploy that compromises the welfare of Penangites.
She said she finds it fishy that the offer letter was dated the same day it was received by Chow’s office, and a handwritten note on the letter after receipt was also signed on the similar date – February 1.
“How can a letter sent from Sabah be received on the same day in Penang? Is Sabah located in Butterworth?” asked Norliza, who is also an Umno Supreme Council working committee member.
It does not make sense that the letter was received – based on the “received” date stamp – by the Chief Minister’s Office on the same day, she added.
“The letter also has a handwritten note that reads ‘SUSK/Yap. Please ask for comments from MoH’ ending with a brief signature dated February 1.
“Coincidentally, they are all dated February 1,” she said, also questioning if the signature actually belongs to Chow.
Norliza said the businessman, Yong Chee Kong, had maintained that the letter bearing his signature was in fact written by Penang DAP to be presented as a formal offer to the state.
Chow had reacted to this by calling it a very serious allegation, and refuted it as unfounded.
Norliza also said the report made by Chow’s office was related to Yong’s allegation that the letter was written by Penang DAP and Yong had signed it.
She said Chow’s response on the matter is akin to an ostrich burying its head in the sand by pretending that the controversy can be solved with a police report when many questions have already arisen as a result of his statement yesterday.
In an interview with The Vibes yesterday, Yong said the offer has been sensationalised by “complicated” politicians.
He said he is aware that the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines can be done only government-to-government, but claimed that his company does not want to hand out monies as his boss prefers to give the donations via vaccine procurement.
Chow’s press secretary, Yap Lee Ying, has declined to comment. – The Vibes, May 22, 2021
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