KUALA LUMPUR – Ministers Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Khairy Jamaluddin should communicate better with each other before announcing policies, said Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.
In a statement today, she said improved communication and coordination between the two will prevent unnecessary confusion.
She highlighted Khairy’s statement yesterday on locations listed in the Covid-19 Hotspot Identification for Dynamic Engagement (HIDE) early warning system.
The science, technology and innovation minister said the listed premises and locations are not confirmed coronavirus clusters, but have the potential to be, adding that they need not close except when directed by the authorities.
Later the same day, Defence Minister Ismail Sabri ordered these premises to shut for three days, with standard operating procedure enforcement to be conducted.
Kok said Ismail Sabri’s statement contradicts the one made by Khairy.
“So, whose statement is correct? Will the shopping malls listed under HIDE be closed immediately for three days? This is not the first time these two cabinet members have made contradictory statements on the MCO (movement control order).
A few days ago, after the government announced the MCO, Ismail Sabri said people who want to cross districts for vaccination must get approval from police. After that, Khairy rebutted, saying people who want to cross districts for vaccination don’t need to get police approval, but only need to show police the notification on their vaccination appointment in the MySejahtera app.”
Such instances show that the two ministers failed to communicate and understand each other’s concerns before issuing public statements, she said.
“Both ministers failed to understand the consequences of the statements they issued. Their contradictory announcements have invited objections from the Malaysia Shopping Malls’ Association, Malaysia Retailers’ Association and Malaysia Retail Chain Association.
“The reaction from these three associations is expected. How can the government give them less than 24 hours’ notice to close down more than 150 shopping complexes listed under HIDE? Thousands of businesses in these locations are totally unprepared for the sudden shutdown.” – The Vibes, May 9, 2021
