KUCHING, May 9: Contradicting announcements by different federal government ministers on Hotspot Identification by Dynamic Engagement (Hide) in one day speaks for itself that the government has no clue how to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.
This is the view of Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii when he highlighted the announcement by Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob that premises listed under Hide are to immediately close for three days which conflicted with National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin’s previous statement that Hide premises are not actual clusters.
Dr Yii said this last-minute announcement for premises like shopping centres to shut down immediately posed a huge inconvenience to the public and business owners while they are left clueless without proper explanation of the science and data behind such decisions.
Thus, he urged the government to come up with clear and specific clarifications on the parameters and methodologies used to identify these hotspots.
“While I am supportive of pro-active measures and proper pre-emptive interventions, the parameters and methodology of identification of such areas under Hide must be clear and backed by science.
“If not we may see unintended consequences including stigma towards a certain business area that can significantly affect their business, or worse as seen today, businesses being ordered to close without proper explanation,” he said in a statement today.
Dr Yii said this is vital as these decisions involve hundreds of premises all over the country and it is to prevent any unwarranted negative impacts on any industry involved.
If given proper explanation, adequate planning and guidelines for businesses, they are more than willing to comply and the public could also make the necessary adjustments, he asserted.
“If the government really believes this is the best mode of action, they wouldn’t be afraid to explain it properly to the public.
“However, if the government makes sudden and rash decisions without proper explanation based on science and data, it just shows how they have lost it and (it is) an admission of failure in handling this pandemic,” he added. — DayakDaily
