Malaysia

Health services won’t be halted if govt changes, assures Noor Hisham

DG cites continued operations during 2-week transition in Putrajaya last year

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 15 Aug 2021 2:46PM

Health services won’t be halted if govt changes, assures Noor Hisham
Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah says the healthcare system will continue to run, especially with the Covid-19 battle ongoing, even if there is a shake-up in Putrajaya. – The Vibes file pic, August 15, 2021

by Arjun Mohanakrishnan

KUALA LUMPUR – Amid talk of the prime minister resigning and a possible change of government, the public health sector will continue its efforts to keep the Covid-19 pandemic in check.

Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the nation’s medical services will not be disrupted in the event there is a change of government.

Currently, he said, decisions are made by the National Security Council, while the Health Ministry advises from a health perspective.

“We will continue to run the health services like we did for two weeks during the transition period last year,” he told The Vibes in a brief WhatsApp conversation.

Dr Noor Hisham was referring to the aftermath of the Sheraton Move in February last year that resulted in the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government led by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Dr Mahathir was briefly made interim prime minister after his resignation, before Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was appointed to the top post.

With the current political turmoil, Muhyiddin has suggested that the administration cannot afford another shake-up as this will disrupt the nation’s vaccination drive and coronavirus fight.

Today, however, after a high-level meeting at the Perikatan Nasional headquarters at Publika here, sources said Muhyiddin will offer his resignation to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong tomorrow.

Yesterday, it was reported that a number of ministry officials were clearing their offices in anticipation of the prime minister’s resignation.

On Friday, Muhyiddin made a last-ditch attempt to secure support from the opposition by promising a number of reforms on the condition that he survives a confidence vote in Parliament.

The reforms include equal allocation for all MPs, more consultation with lawmakers on supply bills, and the implementation of Undi18.

Shortly after the announcement, a slew of political parties rejected the embattled leader’s purported olive branch, with some calling the move “daylight bribery”. – The Vibes, August 15, 2021

Related News

Malaysia / 4w

Malaysia’s hidden debt trap: When borrowing becomes a way of life

Business / 1mth

KPJ posts strong FY2025 performance, sets sights on next growth phase

Events / 1mth

KPJ rolls out first in-house kidney transplant service, starting with Tawakkal Specialist Hospital

Malaysia / 1mth

Sarawak seeks China collaboration to fix growing doctor shortage

Malaysia / 2mth

No disruptions to healthcare services despite budget cuts, assures minister

Opinion / 5mth

Is our nation heading towards ‘retirement poverty’?

Spotlight

Malaysia

‘No such thing as Bangkok Move or Dubai Move’ – Ahmad Zahid

Malaysia

KSN: Rectify long waiting times, service challenges and workforce constraints at UMMC now

Malaysia

LGE trial: 4 to 5 meetings held before open tender bidding for road, undersea tunnel projects - witness

Malaysia

Najib marks 73rd birthday as legal battles continue from behind prison walls

Malaysia

Court orders police to probe foreign management institute

Malaysia

UMNO pushes back against Hamzah’s ‘PBN’ proposal, says BN-PN cooperation is not a new coalition

Malaysia

Form four student killed after car crosses into opposite lane in Setiu crash

World

France heatwave death toll rises to nearly 5,800 as extreme temperatures trigger record mortality

Culture

Penang: Three refurbished tourism attractions to be ‘reopened’ soon

By Ian McIntyre

You may be interested

Malaysia

Two-year-old girl killed after being hit by lorry driven by grandfather in Kedah

Malaysia

Johor appoints 10 deputy exco to strengthen administration

Malaysia

Network School moves to Kazakhstan

Malaysia

Police seize more than 7,400 yaba pills in two Kelantan drug busts

Malaysia

Yayasan Peneraju aims to develop 100,000 Bumiputera talents by 2030

Malaysia

Anwar, Zahid project unity at Putrajaya amid PH-BN differences during state polls

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Sabah assembly approves RM1.6b Supplementary Supply Bill to fund additional spending

Malaysia

PH promises high-tech future for Negeri Sembilan with new economic growth corridor plan