Harapan willing to consider request for ex-health minister to replace 'joker'

Pakatan Harapan is is willing to consider if there is a request from the government for former health minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad to return to do national service to spearhead the war against Covid-19, said Lim Kit Siang.

The DAP veteran raised this after current Health Minister Dr Adham Baba courted flak for suggesting that drinking warm water could help fight the virus.

“This is time for greater professionalism, competence and seriousness to unite Malaysians in the war effort against the Covid-19 virus,” said Lim in a statement today.

In a stinging criticism of Adham, the Iskandar Puteri MP said Malaysia must go on the war footing against the virus and this is not the time for “jokers to take charge”.

Adham's prescription drew censure from various quarters and was debunked by UK-based Malaysian surgeon Dr Amalina Bakri.

Prior to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin unveiling his cabinet line-up, there were calls, including from those in Umno, for him to retain Dzulkefly (above) as the health minister.

Among them was former Umno senator Khairul Azman Harun, who said Dzulkefly could have outperformed his predecessors if he had a longer stint in the position.

Prior to this, Dzulkefly did not shut the door on reassuming the post if it was truly intended to be national service but noted that the stakes were high for him.

Although he did not elaborate, it is believed that the Amanah central committee member was referring to the complexities involved in being part of an administration which Harapan denounced as a backdoor government.

Furthermore, Harapan leaders had also accused Muhyiddin and those responsible for the collapse of the coalition's government last month as traitors.

As of noon today, Malaysia recorded a total of 1,183 Covid-19 cases. Four people have since succumbed to the illness.

The majority of the cases are linked to the tabligh gathering at a mosque in Kuala Lumpur last month, which was attended by more than 14,000 Malaysians and 2,000 foreigners.

Despite numerous appeals for the attendees to come forward, Defence Minister Ismail Sabri revealed that some 4,000 have not undergone health screening.

In a bid to curb the spread of the illness, the government also imposed a movement control order for two weeks.

Starting tomorrow, the army will be deployed to assist the police in ensuring the public abide by the restrictions. - Mkini