CM not interested in Zuki's apology, Gerakan asks if exclusion was revenge
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Covid-19 pandemic is not a political issue and that he was not interested in Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali's apology.
Yesterday, Zuki apologised after chief ministers and menteris besar of opposition states were left out of a meeting to coordinate efforts to combat Covid-19...
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Covid-19 pandemic is not a political issue and that he was not interested in Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali's apology.
Yesterday, Zuki apologised after chief ministers and menteris besar of opposition states were left out of a meeting to coordinate efforts to combat Covid-19.
"I'm not interested in answering this as it is not a political issue, it is about public health, the fate of Penangites and the future of Malaysia.
"It is better for us to focus on how to overcome this pandemic," Chow (above) said at a press conference in Komtar today.
"Even without any order, Penang had already taken stringent measures and we support the state health department, while they also support us," he stressed.
Zuki had been criticised by activists who urged for action to be taken against him.
Gerakan deputy president Oh Tong Keong (above) asked: "Is this revenge? Human lives are not important? The citizens of these five states do not pay taxes?"
Meanwhile, asked about Penangites still eating at hawker centres when the movement control order was only for takeaways and home deliveries, Chow said such situations are expected as today is only the first day.
"Some adjustments are needed, it is only the first day of the order and there are bound to be weaknesses.
"We hope with widespread information from the media, we are able to do it better.
"We must do it right the first time, if we do not comply, we may have to pay a higher price later," he added.
Chow called for "personal sacrifice" within this order period, saying: "If it is not effective, we do not know what other stringent measures can be imposed."
Today, Chow also handed 10 boxes of Personal Protective Equipment, which included surgical ropes (280 pieces) to the Penang General Hospital to "protect our frontliners" in the fight against Covid-19.
The order was announced by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on March 16 to deal with the increasing number of Covid-19 victims.
Except essential services providers, the order included a travel ban and permission for eateries only to sell for takeaways and home deliveries.
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