Shots to be fired over state’s Covid-19 management at Penang assembly

[superadmin]

GEORGE TOWN – Observers were told to expect fireworks today when 40 state backbenchers gather for the first session of the Penang assembly’s sitting this year, with how the state is tackling the pandemic at the top of the agenda.

Hardly 12 months ago, the state was classified as a green zone with fewer than 50 cases daily but, as the sitting begins today, average cases in Penang have reached around 1,300 with a stunning death count of 27 just for last Friday.

Penaga assemblyman Yusni Mat Piah said he will take aim at the state over its handling of Covid-19, although a fair share of attention will also be devoted to the Health Ministry, which continues to struggle to rein in case numbers nationwide, especially with the Delta variant lurking.

The PAS lawmaker said that he has tough questions to ask Penang health exco Dr Norlela Ariffin (Penanti-PH), who is also expected to be grilled by her predecessor, Dr Afif Bahardin (Seberang Jaya-Bersatu), over the virus situation.

“The rising cases are on everybody’s mind, so I hope the state will pay attention to my questions,” he said, adding that another issue on his mind is the plight of fishermen affected by the island’s reclamation project.


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