THE Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has taken Putrajaya to task for organising the 100-day Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia event that attracted large crowds on its first day yesterday. 

MMA president Dr Koh Kar Chai said the four-day event was a magnet for Covid-19 infections, and questioned if the government was serious in bringing down the number of cases in the country. 

“Is pushing up the number of Covid-19 cases part of the key performance indicators for the next 100 days? Looking at the 100-day programme launched in KLCC yesterday, and slated to run for four days, it would seem so. 

“It seems that garnering publicity is on overdrive now, although we are still staring at both the Delta and Omicron variants in this country,” he said in a statement today. 

He said it appeared as though there were some people in the government who want the virus to stay. 

This was happening even as everyone was in the midst of getting booster shots in a bid to stave off the outbreak, he added. 

Koh also said it was wrong for the government to hold this event to celebrate its 100 days in power when at the same time it had told the public that religious processions or any other gatherings were not allowed. 

“Telling the public that processions, whether for religious purposes, or to protest at rising food prices is not allowed out of safety concerns due to Covid, and yet allow for the government to run events, is saying the virus is selective in who it wants to infect,” he added. 

Yesterday, Human Resources Minister M. Saravanan had also questioned the lack of standard operating procedure (SOP) at the Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia celebration, and questioned as to why Thaipusam processions were not allowed.

Saravanan said it would be ridiculous to place restrictions on the festival after recent events that saw large crowds in attendance, including the Malaysia Cup final played in the federal capital last week. 

He also pointed to the Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia event with thousands of people thronging KLCC and not adhering to SOP. 

“There are just too many people gathered here at KLCC Convention Centre to celebrate the government’s 100-day achievement. 

“This is celebrated on a big scale and the turnout is even bigger than expected. There is no physical distancing (observed here) as people have packed the hall and they are standing in proximity. 

“If such an event can take place, surely Thaipusam will also take place, and this would be in accordance with the SOP set,” Saravanan had said. 

On Tuesday, National Unity Minister Halimah Mohamed Sadique said there would be no street processions during Thaipusam and Chingay next year. 

However, following public backlash, the ministry said that the Covid-19 SOP for the upcoming Hindu festival is pending approval and has not yet been finalised. 

Malaysia yesterday reported 5,446 new Covid-19 infections, with Selangor logging the highest number at 1,467. – December 10, 2021.