PM urged to set politics aside, appoint health minister urgently

A PAS-ally in its Gagasan Sejahtera pact has urged Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to urgently appoint a health minister in light of rising numbers of Covid-19 cases around the world.

Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysian (Ikatan) youth exco Dr RR Ramli said today that after over a week of upheavals, the new government should set politics aside and refocus efforts to contain new waves of infections.

"The appointment of a health minister must be made a key agenda and expedited to assist, facilitate and ensure adequate financial, moral and technical support, as well as ensure smooth coordination among related ministries.

"This burden should not be placed squarely on the shoulders' of civil servants, but the executive must play a role and be ready to take on this responsibility," said Ramli in a statement today.

After 11 days of reporting no new cases, Ramli noted that 28 new infections were confirmed, with 21 just over the last two days and bringing the total number of recorded cases up to 50.

"This is an exponential increase and showed that our country is not immune to exposure from new cases," he said.

Ramli further said the new government should also consider approving additional allocations to the Health Ministry, particularly to support government hospitals faced with added burden to its finances.

"It is hoped that this special allocation could minimise the impact of Covid-19 to other activities carried out at government hospitals," he added.

Since assuming office as prime minister last Sunday, Muhyiddin has yet to indicate the formation of his new cabinet, although there were high levels of support from netizens for him to consider reappointing Kuala Selangor MP Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad as health minister.