GEORGE TOWN – Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman has come to the defence of health exco Norlela Ariffin following a scathing attack by former chief minister Lim Guan Eng.
Zakiyuddin said Lim may have been misguided when reprimanding the state government, and in particular Norlela, over their handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said that Lim may have meant well but was inaccurate in blaming Penang for the more than 30 virus deaths last Thursday.
Zakiyuddin told The Vibes that the management of the Covid-19 situation in the state is down to the entire line-up of state executive councillors.
Norlela, the PKR rep for Penanti, was singled out by Lim in his statement lashing out at the state government over the critical health situation in Penang on Friday.
Lim is also DAP secretary-general and the party’s state rep for Air Putih.
He claimed that the state has mishandled the pandemic, with cases continuing to soar above 1,500 daily infections over the past week and deaths approaching the 500 mark, even though it was the only state in Malaysia classified as a green zone for three consecutive months a year ago.
Zakiyuddin, who is PKR’s Pinang Tunggal assemblyman, said that Penang has actually exceeded expectations as it was only expected to reach herd immunity by December.
“Now, we are looking at attaining this threshold by October or November. In September, 80% of the people would have received their first dose,” he said.
“We are trying as much as we can under our capacity as the state, not the lead agency of the Health Ministry.”
Herd immunity is said to be achieved when 80% of a locality’s population have received full doses of the vaccine.
His words were echoed by former senator Yusmadi Yusoff, who said that the fight against Covid-19 needs a holistic approach involving every strata of society, not just individuals or one department.
To fight it effectively, Yusmadi, who is PKR’s former Balik Pulau MP, said that the focus should not just be on healthcare, but on social welfare, education, the economy and security, besides empowering community leaders to encourage the people to take precautions and get their immunisations.
He also suggested that a state task force to fight Covid-19 be set up, similar to Selangor, where Lim and leaders, such as Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar and Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, are participating members.
‘Other excos picking up Norlela’s slack’
Lim, who is also former finance minister, had launched a blistering criticism of the state administration and Norlela.
“Anyone who dares to say that Penang has done well in the battle against Covid-19 is like an ostrich in the sand, doing a gross disservice to those who have died from Covid-19, particularly the 400 people who may have been saved if only the vaccines had arrived earlier,” he had said.
“The people of Penang do not need apologists of the federal government but leaders who can fulfil their electoral mandate to defend and speak up for the interests of Penangites to save precious lives and livelihoods.”
Meanwhile, a state government official also did not have kind words for Norlela, saying she deserves to be bashed as she has not been performing.
“Norlela always says she spoke to the minister either this morning or yesterday, claiming she has the latest information. If she is so close with the federal government, why not leverage on it and request for more to help Penang?”
The official claimed that this could have been done even earlier during the pandemic.
The official, who declined to be named, claimed that other executive councillors are shouldering Norlela’s responsibilities.
“They are taking most of her work. The executive council is being very kind to her.
“Almost 70% of the present facilities for Covid-19 were donated by the people here, NGOs and the private sector. Our state authorities are stuck in the middle between the federal and state governments,” said the officer.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Lim could not be reached for comments.
Meanwhile, DAP’s Seri Delima assemblyman Syerleena Abdul Rashid urged all elected representative to cast aside their egos and think of solutions.
“I see it (Lim’s blunt assessment) more as a constructive criticism. We need to put egos aside and work together to find a way to save lives,” she said.
“Many of us have lost families and friends, and there is a dire need to address the fact that the number of cases as well as deaths are rising in Penang.” – The Vibes, September 5, 2021
Additional reporting by Rachel Yeoh
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