KUALA LUMPUR: The decision by the government to reopen country’s borders on April 1 instead of March 1 as proposed by the National Recovery Council, was made in the interest of the nation and the people.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali told the Dewan Rakyat today that matters related to reopening the country’s border was a big decision that required the highest level of attention and focus.
“The decision to delay it by almost a month Recovery Council was made based on a number of areas that were raised during a meeting by the (health) minister.
“Taking into consideration the Johor state election that would be held at the time, we were very concerned because it was a major decision.
“The decision to reopen the country’s borders required the highest level of attention and focus on matters that are vital. This is to ensure the safety of the country as well as the people,” he said.
Despite calls by some quarters for the general election to be held immediately, he said the ministry remained committed in its efforts to protect the public health system and the people.
“There are quarters wanting to the general election to be called. This is among the important matters that we took into consideration when the decision to postpone the reopening of country’s border to April 1 was made,” he said.
Dr Noor Azmi was responding to an additional question from Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda – Muar) who asked the ministry to provide the scientific data when it decided to delay the reopening of the country’s borders as proposed by the National Recovery Council.
Syed Saddiq said there were no differences in the rate of infectivity over a one-month period.
“There are people out there who claimed that it (the reopening of the country’s borders) was postponed to prevent hundreds and thousands of people of Johor returning to vote (in the March 12 state election).
“Therefore, I wanted to know what is the science and data behind the decision to postpone the reopening of borders between Johor and Singapore,” said Syed Saddiq, who is also the Muda president.
To a separate question, Dr Noor Azmi said the National Security Council will announce the standard operating procedures (SOP) involving the country’s transition from Covid-19 pandemic into endemicity.
“The one new SOP, supported by nine guidelines, is important when the country transitions into endemicity and that it will be announced by the National Security Council,” he said.
The ministry, he said, would continue to ensure that the public health system is prepared to face the possibility of new variants after the reopening of the border.
This, he said, included empowering the whole genome sequencing (WGS) through consortium involving the ministry, Science and Technology and Innovation Ministry; and Higher Education Ministry as well as outsourcing it to private labs.
“Together with the private health facility, the ministry is enhancing the management of Covid-19 cases. We are also developing Covid-19 Clinical Pathway to bring the latest antiviral medication for high-risk patients.
“In addition, we will continue to ensure better access to emergency cases, such as providing sufficient ambulance services over a fixed time period,” he said.
Source: New Straits Times
