Chow chides Kedah MB for blaming Penang over imported Covid-19 cases

 

Penang CM Chow Kon Yeow disputes Kedah MB Sanusi Md Nor’s claim that 77 Covid-19 cases in Kedah were from Bayan.

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today criticised the “unprofessional remarks” made by his counterpart from Kedah over the spread of Covid-19 between state borders.

This was after Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor blamed Penang for importing 77 cases to Kedah, through factory workers working in the state.

“As leaders in our respective states, we need to cooperate, not point fingers and make unprofessional remarks.

“Penang has never made similar remarks against neighbouring states when (Covid-19) cases were brought into our confines. When that happens, we go all out to help them,” he said in a press conference in Komtar today.

Chow also questioned Sanusi’s facts on the number of cases that were said to have been “imported”.

“The state health department data showed only 13 cases imported into Kedah and Perak to date, all of which were from the Bayan cluster, not 77,” he said.

Yesterday, Sanusi had said that there were 77 cases from the Bayan, Permatang, Intan and Alma clusters in Penang.

“When many factories closed in Penang their workers decided to go back to their hometowns in Kedah, instead of going into self-quarantine.

“We had already controlled the Covid-19 clusters in Kedah, but now have to face imported cases from our neighbour. We don’t want these workers to come home and endanger their families, friends and the healthy communities here in Kedah,” he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.

A total of 12,000 people have been tested in the Bayan area, following the conditional movement control order (CMCO) that was enforced at the larger Bayan Baru-Bayan Lepas area since Nov 6.

At the same press conference, local government committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said those facing trouble in paying rent for city council flats can contact his office for help.

He said the state was vetting those with arrears and have given concessions to those facing hardship due to the pandemic.

“We are offering instalment plans for them to pay off their debts.

“We are also aware that there are some people who are abusing the public housing system. These people have big-screen TVs, luxury cars, but can’t pay the RM100-odd rent every month. We are going to evict them,” he said.

Jagdeep added that there was a long waiting list of deserving people who need a home. - FMT