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KUALA LUMPUR – In a surprising turn of events, Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Mohd Salim Mohd Sharif took aim at a number of Perikatan Nasional cabinet members for dereliction of duty in their handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Jempol MP in today’s Dewan Rakyat sitting named Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun, and Education Minister Datuk Mohd Radzi Md Jidin.
Salim said the constant changes in Malaysia’s virus lockdown terminology – from the various iterations of the movement control order to the multi-phase National Recovery Plan – have left the public confused.
“Dissemination of information to rural areas is very important so that the public doesn’t doubt the government’s national plans. I would like to reprimand the communications and multimedia minister, who is not playing his role to inform the public.
“This is critical to support the prime minister. At a time when facts and falsehoods are being spread to the public amid Covid-19, where is the minister I mentioned just now?”
He thanked Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin over the prime minister’s efforts to implement various aid packages for the B40 and M40 groups, but noted the lack of proper support from his own cabinet.
Salim followed up his criticism of Saifuddin with Rina, whom he said has “disappeared” instead of assisting the needy.
“We haven’t achieved our goal of focusing help on the B40 and M40, who have been granted a lot of public funding – these are the ones who have lost their income, who are starving. Where is the minister in charge? Has the minister disappeared?
“The women’s minister, for instance, her ministry was allocated billions by the prime minister. I would like to thank the prime minister for helping all MPs, whether from the government or opposition. So, what is the role of the women’s minister?
“Isn’t she supposed to send food packages? Because in my area, there are many Covid-19 victims, but the Social Welfare Department’s assistance has not arrived. I ask this minister to take responsibility.”
Radzi was reamed out for flip-flopping on policies that led to schools opening and closing shortly after, causing confusion to both students and parents.
The minister was asked how he plans to have Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia candidates this year inoculated against Covid-19.
Salim also panned him over the promise of laptops for poor students, as announced by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz when presenting Budget 2021 last year.
“Children in rural areas are still left behind because they lack access to the internet and laptops. The minister in charge must be responsible and have an exit plan for this.” – The Vibes, July 26, 2021
