GEORGE TOWN – In a bid to protect the manufacturing industry and ease the healthcare system from the strain of exponential Covid-19 cases, the Penang Manufacturing Industry Advisory Council is requesting for a decentralised approach to the National Recovery Plan (NRP), allowing individual states to progress through the NRP phases at their own pace.
The council comprises InvestPenang; Association of Malaysian Medical Industries; Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM); Free Industrial Zone, Penang, Companies’ Association; and Small and Medium Enterprises Association.
In a joint statement, council deputy chairman Datuk Seri Lee Kah Choon said this move, based on each states’ fulfilment of their respective threshold indicators, may be more pragmatic in balancing the repercussions of public health and economy.
“The 4,000 threshold indicates that daily Covid-19 new cases will need to be below 0.012% of Malaysia’s total population (32.75 million). The nation’s average daily new cases in June were 5,987, representing 0.018% of the country’s total population.
“However, in the context of Penang, the average daily new cases for June were 196, representing 0.011% of Penang’s total population (1.78 million), which is below the threshold indicator.”
Lee also said that the current inoculation rate in Penang is making inroads towards achieving the 10% fully vaccinated threshold once 591,532 doses of Covid-19 vaccines arrive in Penang this month.
“The inoculation rate in Penang as of June 30 showed that 419,344 people have received at least one dose (24% of Penang’s population), out of which 123,065 people have been fully vaccinated (7% of Penang’s population).
“With the state’s ongoing efforts in accelerating the vaccination rate, the number of vaccine doses administered is on a rising trend, reaching 15,443 doses daily in June.”
Lee welcomed Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s NRP, which is set to bring the nation onto the next phase.
However, to have an effective exit plan, Lee wants transparent and comprehensive data for each indicator to be shared.
“Only by having up-to-date information that reflects the real situation on the ground can the citizens and private sector act collectively and accordingly to achieve the indicators for different stages of the exit plan.
“As such, transparency on state-level data on daily tests being carried out; availability of ICU beds in the healthcare system and the number of vaccines being supplied are much needed.
“Looking into active cases, FMM Penang, along with the state government is facilitating Covid-19 testing to identify cases as early as possible to stamp the spread or before turning into a new cluster.
“The state’s private sector is also willing to support the needs of the public healthcare system and to improve the latter’s facilities.
“Covid-19 may never go away. Vaccination is the only way to reduce the risk of infection as well as transmission.
“While our country is expediting Covid-19 inoculations, a flexible approach in relaxing economic activities based on the respective states’ fulfilment of indicators during the transition period may be more feasible,” the statement read. – The Vibes, July 3, 2021
