Penang CM worried over politicking, racism in wake of Covid-19
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has warned certain quarters about politicising the Covid-19 pandemic which has hit Penang with 58 cases, including one death, yesterday.
Chow (photo) reiterated he was not interested in politicising the issue, which has escalated to 11 deaths so far, with 1,306 positive cases.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has warned certain quarters about politicising the Covid-19 pandemic which has hit Penang with 58 cases, including one death, yesterday.
Chow (photo) reiterated he was not interested in politicising the issue, which has escalated to 11 deaths so far, with 1,306 positive cases.
He warned against an extension of the movement control order (MCO) beyond March 31, saying " we must be prepared if the situation worsens".
Urging Penangites not to be stubborn anymore and strictly follow the MCO by staying at home and practising social distancing, Chow said: "This is now a very worrying situation.
"Please do not be stubborn anymore. All of us have to strictly obey the MCO.
"Otherwise, the MCO period might be further extended and this will cause us even more difficulties."
Meanwhile, as an additional measure, the frequency of the Rapid Penang bus services would be reduced by 70 per cent today, while the free CAT bus services would be reduced by half.
Chow said the new Rapid Penang bus service schedule can be referred to by using the Rapid Penang Journey Planner application.
The planner will also include changes to the reduced operating hours of ferry services.
On the situation in the four previously crowded markets, especially in Air Itam, the Penang Island City Council reported that it is now "under control".
Chow said most markets have now implemented social distancing measures by marking the distance of one metre on the floor.
As an additional measure, Chow said all roadside stalls around the Pulau Tikus market would be closed tomorrow.
"Disinfection works on the mainland would be carried out twice daily whereas the fish stalls, vegetable stalls and others will be cleaned each day with the use of detergents by the traders concerned.
"For areas under the jurisdiction of the city council, disinfection works would be carried out in all markets every day by the heroic frontliners of the council," he added.
He also expressed concern that some of the remarks made against the pandemic were not only political but "racist" in nature.
"There had been many developments in the past 24 hours, where our local councils had to issue new rulings, including banning street hawkers in four (crowded) areas.
"Certain quarters have purposely politicised the issue as if this is due to the weaknesses of the Penang government," Chow said.
"I strongly oppose such irresponsible behaviours. From the beginning, I have firmly stated I was not interested in politicising the issue," Chow said during his live Facebook press conference today.
Chow said no one should gloat if the figures for affected cases in Penang were less than those in states under the rule of Perikatan Nasional.
He said this was not the time to discriminate among Malaysians.
"Penangites are Malaysians, so are Johorians, Kelantanese are not lesser Malaysians, while Sarawakians will always remain Malaysians," Chow said.
"Stop politicising Covid-19, focus on the effort to fight the virus, as one nation, one race," Chow added.
Keep up with the latest information on the outbreak in the country with Malaysiakini's free Covid-19 tracker.
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