Adham: Don't make negative assumptions about my relationship with Health DG

Health Minister Dr Adham Baba has urged all parties to stop making negative assumptions (sangkaan buruk) about his relationship with the ministry's director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

In an exclusive interview with Berita Harian, he said this is important so that the ministry will not be disrupted in its effort to curb the outbreak of the Covid-19.

"To launch a war against the Covid-19, we cannot fight with each other.

"Our 'army' must be on the same line. There has to be a delegation of duty. Most important is to see the policies introduced," he said.

Adham said bickering and conflicts would only put the country at a disadvantage in the war against the Covid-19.

As such, he said he needs the "war general" to be on his side.

"As a new minister who was just appointed on March 10, I don't have much time to scrutinise the ministry's policies until today.

"My focus is to prepare the panglima perang (war generals) to fight against the Covid-19.

"Thank God, all ministers extended good cooperation, but under me, there's a director-general and secretary-general who play their roles," he said.

Adham noted that other than him, it's the director-general who has the responsibility to furnish accurate figures in regard to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hence, Adham had asked Noor Hisham (below) to become a permanent spokesperson and work closely with the media since he has to be on the field all the time.

"I asked the director-general to provide the latest data as it's important to do so to manage any trepidation caused by inaccurate information.

"As a civil officer, the director-general also has the responsibility to ensure that I fulfil my responsibilities precisely and in an organised manner in implementing the strategy."

Referring to himself as the commander, Adham said he's answerable to the Parliament, not the director-general.

"As the commander, I am the backbone of the ministry. When the time comes, I have to face the public when I answer in the Parliament.

"The health director-general will not answer in the Parliament, instead it's the minister and the deputy minister."

Adham said in the recovery phase which the country is currently in, the ministry reduced the statements to only certain days.

"If the ministry is in conflict, it's not a fair war. So there has to be solid ground. I hope any quarters who have a negative perception (on him and Noor Hisham) will stop," he said.

On curbing the fake news concerning the ministry, Adham said the ministry had filed reports to the police and the MCMC, as well as taking civil action.

Adham said he doesn't want any conflict within the ministry that would allow other parties to take advantage. - Mkini