PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob must conduct public hearings on the COVID-19 endemic standard operating procedures (SOPs) rather than just announcing them, said Selangor’s Bukit Gasing assemblyperson Rajiv Rishyakaran.
He said that in the last two years, the Government under both Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Ismail Sabri had time and again announced incomplete and incomprehensible SOPs for COVID-19 only to retract or clarify them in the next few days, thus creating massive confusion, panic and frustration for the people.
“As the Government toys with moving to the endemic phase of COVID-19, the key difference will be the change of SOPs that will affect businesses, jobs, schools and our social lives,” he commented.
“In his statement Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said that the final decision [on when the transition to endemic phase] will be made by the COVID-19 Pandemic Management Committee which is chaired by Ismail Sabri.
“This is not good enough so let’s not waste time waiting for this announcement and instead let’s disclose the proposal for feedback and scrutiny.”
Rajiv went on to point out that conducting public hearings will allow for the removal of ineffective SOPs.
He further cited the SOPs which allow for cinemas to be opened but for concessions to be sold online together with tickets as an example.
“I assume it is because the decision makers did not frequent the cinemas as much,” he said sarcastically.
“However, this could have easily been avoided if a few public hearing sessions were done. SOPs are required to keep people safe but if it is not doing its sole purpose, then they are just restrictions in place for no reason.”
According to Rajiv, public consultation is necessary not just to remove ineffective SOPs but also to get public buy-in.
“A lot of these SOPs have to be discussed to see if the Malaysian society is able to accept it. We are moving to this endemic stage as a nation. These decisions affect a wide range of public and the government cannot strong-arm decisions made as the new rules,” he said.
“Public hearings are a form of deliberative democracy and it is important for public participation as the pandemic is a social issue. This is the problem of a nation and it can only be truly addressed when we work hand-in-hand with the public.” – Feb 18, 2022
