Compensate those handling bodies of Covid-19 victims, says PKR strategist

KUALA LUMPUR – PKR information chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin today urged the government to set aside an allocation to compensate personnel from the Health Ministry and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) for taking on the roles of undertakers handling bodies of Covid-19 perished patients.

The Hang Tuah Jaya MP, when debating the Supplementary Supply Bill at the Dewan Rakyat this afternoon, said these impromptu undertakers must be rewarded accordingly to avoid them feeling underappreciated.

“I sympathise with those who have to manage the bodies of Covid-19 patients, and I want to ask the government if there is an allocation set aside for these personnel, those from the Health Ministry and APM especially, who sometimes have to bury 20 to 30 bodies a day in full protective gear.

“I suggest in this supplementary bill that an allocation is made for those managing the bodies to give them a boost and to motivate them,” he said.

Shamsul also questioned if the additional RM5.5 billion being sought through the supplementary bill includes allocations to set up a treatment facility for those suffering from long Covid-19.

“We know that long Covid affects many within the community, so I want to ask the government if, from the aspect of expenditure, there are additional allocations for building a properly equipped facility to treat those facing issues from long Covid?” he queried in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Separately, Shamsul joined the chorus of other lawmakers when he called on an anti-party hopping law to be tabled at the soonest, saying that it should take precedence over other bills the government is looking to table.

He said the government should push for the anti-party hopping law and all related constitutional amendments to be tabled on the same day to expedite the process.

“(These are) the amendments which are important, which the people and we, as elected representatives, want for the anti-party hopping law.

“The bill should be tabled together with all other related amendments, maybe even together with the bill to limit the prime minister’s term,” he said.

Additionally, he called for the government to state the overall costs incurred from the Melaka and Johor state elections, and how much the difference in cost would be if they were held together with a general election. – The Vibes, March 22, 2022