THE Penang government has expressed its disappointment over the failure of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti) in implementing the Safe@Work initiative in the manufacturing and related service sectors.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Penang government has repeatedly urged Miti to implement the initiative since it was announced in March.
“We regret that it has not been implemented until today. Everyone is concerned and worried because there are many Covid-19 clusters from the manufacturing sector.
“According to the risk analysis report, there were 15 active clusters in Penang as of May 8.
“The breakdown is as follows – Factories (eight), Education (three), Social (two), Detention centre (one) and Construction site (one),” Chow answered a question from the press during a media conference today.
Chow said that the immunisation programme for economic frontliners had also not been implemented until today due to vaccine shortages.
“Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had agreed to implement the programme for economic frontliners when we highlighted the matter during his visit two months ago. But as mentioned, it has not been implemented due to vaccine shortages.
“The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM Penang) and the Penang Medical Practitioners’ Society are ready to collaborate with the ministry.
“Several factories have been identified as potential vaccination centres for factory workers. We are still waiting for the green light from the Federal Government,” he said.
Chow added that the manufacturing sector in Penang needed ‘special attention’ at the Federal level, as it is a Covid-19 infection hotspot.
Replying to whether factory operations were still allowed during the movement control order (MCO) in certain districts and mukim in Penang, Chow said that economic activities in the state were still allowed, subject to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) by the Federal Government.
Daily risk analysis
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow would instruct the state Health Department to prepare a daily risk analysis report from tomorrow (May 10), in view of the MCO in certain areas in Penang.
“The report will be provided to the Penang government and the state National Security Council (Penang MKN). The report will also be submitted to the National Security Council (MKN) at the Federal level for it to monitor the progress and changes, following the implementation of the MCO 3.0 in Penang.
“The risk analysis report will include the number of daily Covid-19 cases, the number of active cases, the number of patients who have to be sent to hospitals or low-risk Covid-19 centres, and the public medical facilities usage rate.
“We will be referring to the report when we make our decisions or proposals to the MKN at the Federal level.
“All of us have to work hard to bring down the number of Covid-19 cases,” he said.
Ops Covid and roadblocks
Penang police chief Comm Datuk Sahabudin Abd Manan said 42 roadblocks would be set up in Penang following the announcement of the MCO 3.0 in certain parts of Penang.
“We will review the need from time to time and will increase the number of roadblocks when necessary.
“We had set up 45 roadblocks in Penang during the MCO 2.0; and 15 roadblocks when the conditional MCO (CMC) was imposed in Penang,” he said.
Comm Sahabudin said 712 personnel, including the army and Rela members, would be on duty round the clock at those roadblocks.
“We have set up 107 task forces, comprising 705 members, to ensure standard operating procedure (SOP) compliance among the public.
“About 3,500 Penang contingent personnel, including supportive staff, will be involved in this Ops Covid. All their leave requests have been frozen,” he said.
Comm Sahabudin said the police would be tightening their inspections at roadblocks, in view of the Hari Raya celebration.
“We have also identified five ‘lorong tikus’ (hidden passages or illegal routes) in Penang and we will be setting up mobile roadblocks in those areas. Those roadblocks will be manned by the task forces,” he said.
Comm Sahabudin said that parents or guardians who need to send their children to the nursery must obtain a confirmation letter from the nursery.
“Alternatively, they can apply and get the approval from the nearest police station. The approval given will be for the entire MCO period. The applicants do not need to apply for the approval daily.
“A relaxation of the SOP for this purpose will be provided tomorrow (May 10),” he said.
Use online platforms
The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) have urged the public to use the available online services.
MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang encouraged the public to use the various council online platforms, such as the ‘Jom Beli’ online business platform.
“We have 10,962 traders who have taken part in the ‘Jom Beli’ online business initiative,” he said, adding that the council would be sharing the SOPs in its website.
MBSP mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud urged the public to use the MBSP’s cyber counters. Visit https://www.mbsp.gov.my/cyber-counter/ for more details.
The SOPs can be obtained from the MBSP Facebook page.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Chan Kok Kuan