Shots to be fired over state’s Covid-19 management at Penang assembly

GEORGE TOWN – Observers were told to expect fireworks today when 40 state backbenchers gather for the first session of the Penang assembly’s sitting this year, with how the state is tackling the pandemic at the top of the agenda.

Hardly 12 months ago, the state was classified as a green zone with fewer than 50 cases daily but, as the sitting begins today, average cases in Penang have reached around 1,300 with a stunning death count of 27 just for last Friday.

Penaga assemblyman Yusni Mat Piah said he will take aim at the state over its handling of Covid-19, although a fair share of attention will also be devoted to the Health Ministry, which continues to struggle to rein in case numbers nationwide, especially with the Delta variant lurking.

The PAS lawmaker said that he has tough questions to ask Penang health exco Dr Norlela Ariffin (Penanti-PH), who is also expected to be grilled by her predecessor, Dr Afif Bahardin (Seberang Jaya-Bersatu), over the virus situation.

“The rising cases are on everybody’s mind, so I hope the state will pay attention to my questions,” he said, adding that another issue on his mind is the plight of fishermen affected by the island’s reclamation project.

Meanwhile, PKR’s Kebun Bunga assemblyman Jason Ong Khan Lee said he is likely to debate the need to review the Penang Transport Master Plan due to the effects of the pandemic, climate change and rising costs.

Despite an earlier scare about two state excos being confirmed as close contacts to Covid-19 cases, the 40 backbenchers have all passed their PCR tests and are likely to attend the proceedings, albeit wearing the required personal protective equipment.

It remains to be seen if top Pakatan Harapan leaders, such as Lim Guan Eng (Air Putih-PH) and Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (Jerejak-PH) will be present throughout the entire proceedings, which will last 10 days.

Lim, the former chief minister, is believed to be unhappy over how Penang is addressing the pandemic, especially with its acute shortage of vaccines.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (Padang Kota-PH) is expected to have his hands full replying to various queries on Penang’s state of affairs.

This is especially the case after the state recorded lower foreign direct investments this year compared with last year, and its continuing battle with flash floods.

Strict standard operating procedures, such as physical distancing, wearing masks and proper building sanitisation will be in place at the recently restored Penang state assembly building in Jalan Light, and hand sanitisers will also be in abundance.

Penang Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang said that he expects debates on two legislations in relation to the Undi18 movement, which pushes for candidates as young as 18 to be allowed to contest state elections, as well as the appointment of a new PKR senator.

This is the first sitting after the state of emergency in the country ended earlier this month. – The Vibes, August 30, 2021