IPOH: Several Opposition assemblymen took a swipe at the state Health committee chairman for not going to the ground during the Covid-19 pandemic.

       Tan Kar Hing (Simpang Pulai-PKR), Howard Lee (Pasir Pinji- DAP), and Datuk Asmuni Awi (Manjoi-Amanah) had taken a dig at Mohd Akmal Kamaruddin (Selama-PAS)during their debate on the motion of thanks on the Royal Address at the state assembly sitting on Thursday (Aug 26).

       Tan said with the number of Covid-19 cases on the rise in Perak, the only person seen doing the job of the Health exco was Mentri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad.

       “We see the MB at openings of vaccination centres, visiting enhanced movement control order areas, outreach vaccine programmes, as well as other related events but not the Health Committee chairman,” he said.

       Tan said that like him, he was sure other assemblymen were bombarded with questions on the slow pace of the vaccination process, on measures taken to handle the pandemic, or on when more economic sectors are able to operate and so forth.

       Tan added that about 500,000 people have yet to be vaccinated in the state, and Perak, compared to the other states, stood third from the bottom after Sabah and Kelantan in the vaccination process.

       “I suggest the setting up of a special health select committee, and if the Health exco is unable to do his job, there should be a reshuffle to get someone who can do a better job,” he added.

       Lee said he was not criticising Akmal for the sake of doing so, but in such a critical time, he was nowhere to be seen.

       “This pandemic, people are suffering not only due to the virus, but also due to the economy," he said

       “But what we see is the mentri besar doing the job of the health exco,” added Lee.

       Asmuni said there were so many issues that needed to be tackled on the ground, but Akmal was not playing his part.

       He said there were cases of people receiving vaccination appointments with short notice and senior citizens who depended on their children for transportation are unable to make it.

       “Then there are cases of people getting appointments far away from their homes, and not everyone is able to travel,” he added.