MALAYSIAN Medical Association (MMA) criticised the Government for its 100-day Malaysian Family Aspiration programme on Thursday (Dec 9), which has come under fire after large crowds were seen gathering at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
The four-day event is organised to commemorate the first 100 days in office for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and his Cabinet and features a host of programmes and exhibitions.
“Is pushing up the number of COVID-19 cases part of the KPI for the next 100 days? Looking at [the programme] it would appear so,” commented MMA president Dr Koh Kar Chai.
According to Dr Koh, garnering publicity is in overdrive now, despite the country still facing threats from both the Delta and Omicron COVID-19 variants.
“Even as we are in the midst of encouraging the booster shots in a bid to stave off the pandemic, there are quarters in responsible government positions who seem to want the pandemic to stay,” remarked Dr Koh sarcastically.
“Telling the public that processions – whether for religious purposes or to show protest at rising food prices – is not allowed out of safety concerns due to the pandemic but yet allow [certain quarters] to run events is saying that the virus is selective in who it wants to infect.”
Organisers of the event previously said that the event aimed to attract 20,000 visitors over the span of four days, while Shared Prosperity Delivery Unit (SEPADU) executive director Wan Azilawati Wan Mahmood also said that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the National Security Council (MKN) allowed 10,350 people to be in the halls of the convention centre at a time.
Wan Azilawati had also assured that the programme committee will follow strict SOPs that are implemented by MKN and the Health Ministry.
In addition to police personnel and health workers conducting on-site inspections, isolation rooms will be provided at the convention centre.
Visitors are required to check their temperature and scan their MySejahtera application before entering the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and only individuals who have received a complete vaccine dose and have passed their effective period after vaccination are allowed to enter.
All visitors are further urged to practice social distance at all times and wear face masks. – Dec 10, 2021
