GEORGE TOWN – There is no rest for Penang’s executive councillors, especially health exco Norlela Ariffin, as state assemblymen question and suggest ways on how to curb ever-rising Covid-19 numbers, as just a couple of hundred daily two months ago reached almost 2,000 every day in recent weeks.
In the state assembly this week, Gooi Hsiao-Leung (Bukit Tengah-PKR) said that Seberang Prai Tengah (SPT) is the eye of the storm, as the district sees daily infections of 500 to 700 cases per day.
“This did not just start happening today. There were warning signs long ago, even from last year, and I have brought my concerns forward.
“The biggest issue regarding why cases in Penang are so high is the factory cluster – this cannot be denied. The people in my area are asking me: ‘YB, why can’t the factories be closed down temporarily?’”
However, Gooi stressed that blame must not be directed solely at migrant workers but also at the factory management and agents who manage and bring these workers in.
“They are housed in living quarters that are not liveable under human standards,” he said.
“You have workers from more than ten factories huddled in one dormitory, and it is too cramped.
“There is also no one to manage and oversee the place. If a person is Covid-19 positive, no proper quarantine is done.”
He said that under the Employees’ Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodation and Amenities Act 1990, bosses need a certificate for accommodation, or risk a fine of RM50,000 or a one-year jail term.
However, this is not being enforced, he lamented.
Housing matters aside, Gooi said that out of 1,800 factories in SPT, only 107 have done Covid-19 screening.
“This is too low. Infections can happen at any time.
“And though Penang ran a free Covid-19 screening for 40,000 people at different constituencies, don’t you think that the Penang Health Department should at least provide complimentary basic treatment through free testing?
“The people have the right to expect free screening for Covid-19,” he said.
‘Private hospital charges too high’
Lee Khai Loon (Machang Bubok-PKR) said that even if the state or health department cannot conduct free screenings, saliva testing kits can be distributed to B40 families.
“Right now, it just seems like if you are rich, the possibility of surviving Covid-19 is higher while those who are poor are just waiting to die at home.
“When the cases are high, those with Covid-19 categories 1 or 2 are to do self-quarantine. If they want to go to a private hospital, they will have to pay an RM15,000 deposit. The charges are too high,” said Lee.
Nor Hafizah Othman (Permatang Berangan-Umno) suggested that all factories with high Covid-19 cases should be shut down momentarily, while Goh Choon Aik (Bukit Tambun-PKR) questioned why only two hotels in Penang have been converted to Covid-19 low-risk centres.
Goh said 40% of the total beds in assigned low-risk centres are still empty due to insufficient state Health Department manpower.
Teh Lai Heng (Komtar-DAP) also suggested clearer communication between the decision-makers at Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force meetings.
“While we appreciate being asked for suggestions regarding locations for vaccination centres, there is still not enough discussion between us and the committee.”
However, he also said the opposition’s request for the state to purchase vaccines is unfounded.
“Instead of asking us to buy more vaccines, why can’t you request from the federal government to procure us more vaccines?”
State welfare exco Phee Boon Poh said that Penang is falling behind in the fight against Covid-19 because not enough information is being given by Putrajaya to fight the virus more effectively.
Phee said that although many suggestions and plans were sent for approval at the federal level, many were snubbed.
“We have tried on many occasions and many ways to look into curbing the virus spread.
“I ask for the federal government to fulfil this trust and obligation. My heart aches because of this,” he said. – The Vibes, September 3, 2021
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