ENRAGED by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba’s decision to allow three-day quarantine for Ministers, his predecessor questioned the scientific rationale behind the ill-conceived idea.
“This exemption given to Ministers epitomises the ultimate of abuse that we fear once the Emergency Ordinance was instituted. How did the Health Ministry (MOH) arrive at the three-day timeframe for a quarantine?
“What is the science behind such unprecedented move? Who is the authority that provides for such counter-intuitive measures in public health and in infectious disease control? Is becoming a Minister provides you with greater Immunity against SARS CoV-2?” former Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad told FocusM.
Yesterday, Adham issued a Federal Government Gazette under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Exemption) Order 2021, exempting Ministers from the compulsory 10-days quarantine and reduce it to three days.
“The Cabinet of Ministers who returns from any overseas official visit shall undergo observation for three days or undergo surveillance until be discharged without danger to the public,” the gazette reads.
Unimpressed, Dzulkefly said Adham’s decision could not have come at a worse time as public distrust against the Government is deep given the numerous missteps in the management of COVID-19.
Widening trust deficit
He added the double standard in the implementation of the standard operating procedures (SOP) between VVIPs and the public at large, will surely widen the yawning trust deficit.
“And we know that public trust and confidence in the leadership is key to the success of the pandemic response.
“With this kind of decisions, how can the MOH preach to the public to abide by the SOP, while allowing this blatant ‘legally sanctioned’ disregard of their own SOPs by the Ministers?” Dzulkefly queried.
On COVID-19, Dzulkefly reminded the Government of the incubation period of 10 days, adding relaxing the rules for the sake of the “powers-that-be” was extremely irresponsible, regrettable and despicable.
“Unless Ministers are all vaccinated (of whom none is), they actually risk the lives of others with the seven days of freedom!
“Plus, majority of them are in the high-risk group (over 60 years) and some with pre-existing health conditions. They risk the lives of others around themselves such as families, staff and public, as much as they are a health hazard to themselves,” the Kuala Selangor MP remarked.
Echoing Dzulkefly’s sentiments, the Malaysian Public Health Physicians Association said Adham’s decision would send mixed signals to the nation and widen the trust deficit between the public and Government.
“I’m sure the Minister would have been advised by certain quarters. One must understand that just because you’re tested negative at the preliminary screening, it doesn’t mean you have not contracted the virus,” its president Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar told FocusM.
He also said the 10 to 14 days quarantine period was vital to ensure the individual is clear of COVID-19 before being allowed back into the public sphere.
Zainal added it was also unfair to the public as many of them have undergone quarantine several times just because they came into contact with those exposed to COVID-19.
“If a Minister is required to quarantine for only three days, the same measure can be applied to common people.
“But I would like to caution Ministers that the reduced quarantine period is very risky as they go meet people quite often. They may inadvertently create new clusters wherever they go,” he opined.
On related matter, the Malaysia Health Coalition (MHC) urged Adham to revoke the exemption order immediately.
“The justification provided by the Health Minister does not explain the rationale, science, evidence or facts behind this decision.
“Therefore, we can only take it at face value, and we oppose this Order vehemently,” it said, adding healthcare professionals cannot fight COVID-19 without public trust in the health system. – Feb 9, 2021.
