Guan Eng: Why is Penang not included in NRP's Phase 2 states?

 

Former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng has come out swinging and wants an explanation as to why Penang is excluded from the list of five states set to enter Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).

“Based on science and data, it is illogical for Penang not to enter into Phase 2 of the NRP on July 5 together with the five states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Perak and Perlis.

“Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz must explain why Penang is excluded from Phase 2 of the NRP when Penang has performed better on (some of) the thresholds set as compared to Pahang,” he claimed.

Lim, who is also Bagan MP, said he wanted to emphasise that there is no objection to Pahang being allowed to enter into Phase 2 of the NRP.

“But the controversial issue here is why Penang is not included. Amongst the NRP thresholds set are a seven-day average of Covid-19 cases, ICU capacity and vaccination rates.

“For instance, on July 3, Penang recorded no deaths compared to five in Pahang, Penang recorded 142 new cases compared to 200 in Pahang, and the Covid-19 basic reproduction number (R0 or R naught) for Penang is 1.02 compared to Pahang’s 1.24.

“On July 3, the vaccination rate for Penang was 10.1 percent compared to Pahang’s 12.2 percent of the adult population, which is above the 10 percent threshold for Phase 2,” he added, although it should be noted that in this instance, Pahang has better numbers.

In making the announcement yesterday, Ismail Sabri had said that the government will continue to monitor indicators in all five states for signs of progress to Phase 3 as well as for other states to transition to Phase 2.

Lim said that the PN federal government should admit that a centralised approach has failed to produce the desired results and should give state governments and MPs the opportunity to manage the Covid-19 in their respective areas.

“The four-phase NRP appears to ignore states with low cases of daily infections. There is no reason for these states to be penalised equally with other states with higher daily infections.

“The time has come for decentralisation by permitting the state governments and MPs to decide what is the best approach on MCO restrictions or business operating hours in their respective localities.

“This would also encourage accountability and transparency instead of a one-size-fits all formula that punishes good and bad behaviour alike. Let us reward those who comply with Covid-19 SOPs,” said Lim. - Mkini