KUALA LUMPUR: A Member of Parliament today suggested that the government set up a contingency fund to deal with the possibility of more Covid-19 waves in the future.
Dr Azman Ismail (PH-Kuala Kedah) said the contingency fund was needed to prepare for emergencies or the fourth and following wave of Covid-19.
“We recently struggled to deal with the third wave in Sabah. Is there any guarantee that there will be no fourth, fifth or sixth wave?
“...that’s why we need to have a proper contingency fund should there be any emergency or next wave of Covid-19. We will have sufficient money,” he said when debating on the Supply Bill 2021 at the Dewan Rakyat sitting, here, today.
Through Budget 2021 tabled by Finance Minister, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz on Nov 6, the Health Ministry was allocated almost RM32 billion with RM4 billion specifically for tackling Covid-19.
Meanwhile, Datuk Jalaluddin Alias (BN-Jelebu) suggested that all 2,000 Health Ministry contract workers be absorbed as permanent staff after the Covid-19 pandemic ends.
“These individuals have sacrificed their time and family life for the sake of the country and it is unfair to terminate their services after everything is over.
“I urge the government to ensure that these 2,000 contract workers are absorbed as permanent staff,” he said.
The Dewan Rakyat sitting continues on Monday. — Bernama
