Ismail sidesteps Yeoh's criticism, says people need to know actions taken

 

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has downplayed criticisms of his daily Covid-19 update press conference, insisting it was needed to update the public on non-health matters linked to the government's efforts in containing the pandemic.

"The people want to know what the enforcement authorities are doing towards those who did not follow the standard operating procedures.

"The people want to know what the government is doing because the actions can help save others," the defence minister said in his press conference held at the ministry today.

"If I don't report the updates then the people will think we are not doing anything.

"That is why every day I will update about the number of arrests and other actions taken," he said.

The Bera MP added that his daily press conferences would also complement Health director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah's updates on all health-related matters.

Ismail was responding to Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh who yesterday said he should cease his daily press conferences if there were no substantial announcements to be made, in reference to the confusion that arises from the government's recent work-from-home directive for red zone areas.

Yeoh had said the daily briefings sometimes left people more confused due to "unnecessary announcements".

Ismail did not directly address the complaint by Yeoh that the public has been left confused by conflicting and changing information about the rules of the latest conditional movement control order (MCO).

While the defence minister had, during earlier stages of the outbreak, made headlines after capturing viewers' attention with his interesting shirt choices, his more recent appearances also caused a buzz among keen-eyed netizens.

In particular, they zoomed in on various items displayed on shelves that served as Ismail's backdrop, while he delivered the updates from his house where he was under home quarantine until last Sunday.

Thousands of netizens tuned in to monitor the live briefing on the defence ministry's Facebook page and they soon flooded the comment section with mock 'bidding sessions' for items such as helmets, model cars, a keris and others.

Having returned to work at the ministry, Ismail appeared to choose a similar setting as his backdrop, featuring another set of shelves with items including a model tank, fighter jet, warship and army helmets.

"She is from the opposition. Maybe if she did not oppose then it won't feel right for her. She can oppose whatever she wants.

"This cabinet has always been here [...] I never promoted any of the items on display. I am just delivering the daily updates," Ismail said in a swipe at Yeoh.

Ismail earlier urged all parties to put their differences aside and focus on the common goal of fighting against the Covid-19 pandemic. - Mkini