PUTRAJAYA has been called “tone-deaf” for insinuating the potential return of restrictions during a time when the people are finally “climbing out of the hole” following prolonged lockdowns.

Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran said: “It is baffling to me that, even now, the Health Ministry does not realise that social activity restrictions mean economic activity restrictions.”

“The people and small businesses are finally climbing out of the hole after the prolonged movement control orders with different names.

“The government is tone-deaf to the anxiety of the people arising from wishy-washy statements like this when clear solutions are available.”

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin warned that social sector movement restrictions can be reintroduced if Covid-19 cases overrun hospitals.

Malaysia’s transition into the endemic phase will take a “long, long time”, he added.

Rajiv said the ministry must be prepared to increase hospital capacity should a surge in cases occur, instead of restricting social activities as the cost to increase hospital capacity is far less than restricting economic activities.

“How long are we going to go on a loop? Equipment, medicine, medical personnel and volunteers should be on standby to ensure we can set up enough makeshift hospitals on short notice to take in cases that require hospitalisation in case of a sudden surge of cases.”

The DAP man said the ministry should enlist general practitioners to administer booster shots, as this will reduce hospitalisation.

“The shot administration cost will remain the same, but the process will be sped up and more accessible to the people.

He said private hospitals should also be allowed to administer booster shots as an option for those who are willing to pay for them.

This will save cost for Putrajaya, as those who can afford the third dose will get it via the private sector and the government can focus on a particular segment of the population, he added.

“Simple public health services like this should be made accessible as soon as possible to ensure we can reduce hospitalisation. Until now, it is impossible to walk into a Klinik Kesihatan to get a PCR test.

“You would think that after 21 months, a simple service such as testing would have been available to anyone who wants to get tested. But to date, you can only do that at private facilities.” – November 23, 2021.