COMMENT | We would like to congratulate Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad for his appointment as health minister in the recent cabinet reshuffle. We wish him all the best in carrying out his duties in a ministry which he is well familiar with.

In light of the new Covid-19 cases reaching a yearly high of 29,129 cases on Dec 11, 2023, which is part of a regional and global trend, we call upon Dr Dzulkefly to consider the following actions in preparation for a prolonged increase number of cases as part of a emergent Covid-19 “wave”.

Firstly, the Health Ministry should...