AS the country celebrates Deepavali today in the midst of Covid-19 pandemic, Penang state executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo says he hopes light will prevail over darkness at such a time like this.
The state Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman spent the early part of Deepavali today visiting the Taman Free School temporary public market, which was ordered close by the state Health Department yesterday for two weeks.
“Let the light prevail over the evil; the evil that we’ve today is the Covid-19 menace,” Jagdeep told a press conference during his visit to the site, which comes under his Datok Keramat constituency.
“Covid-19 is the No. 1 enemy of the nation and the world. We’ve to take this very seriously.”
The Taman Free School temporary public market was sealed off yesterday at 4pm with a notice placed at the main entrance.
Signed by public health specialist and northeast district health officer Datin Dr Azizah Ab Manan, the notice stated that the closure is from Nov 13 to Nov 27 and is aimed at carrying out work to prevent the spread of an infectious disease.
“I believe the state Health Department will be doing the necessary. When they say it is to contain the spread of any infectious disease, I am sure they are talking about Covid-19 and because of that the Penang state government would like to extend our support and cooperation.
“We cannot take things lightly. If things have to be done then we have to do it because our priority is to ensure public health and safety.
“This marketplace is under the management of the MBPP. The state government and the Federal Government have to work together because this enemy does not choose which party to attack.
“It does not choose which day to attack too, even on Deepavali day it can come. This virus that does not choose race, religion or political side,” Jagdeep added.
He said to win the war against Covid-19, it all boils down to discipline in adhering to the standard operating procedure (SOP).
“If we can be disciplined, if we can adhere to the SOPs that exist, we will win this war against Covid-19. I am very confident of that, so let us be disciplined.”
Jagdeep said there are a total of 136 active stalls in the Taman Free School temporary public market and hawker site. Out of this number, only 68 stalls at the morning market are being closed and 72 of its workers have to undergo screening tests.
He said that if the test results are negative, he said they may appeal for the site to be reopened before Nov 27.
Business, however, is slow at the hawker site. Only a few stalls were seen operating.
So far, he said the state Health Department has closed down 53 premises in Penang while the MBPP has closed down 13 premises in Penang island for flouting SOPs.
“This involves the lives of people. This is a very serious issue. We’ve to understand what is happening; yesterday in the US, there were over 150,000 Covid-19 cases in one day. That is how bad it is.
“In Malaysia, we’ve over 1,300 cases yesterday – the second highest recorded. And in Penang, we had 42 cases yesterday.
“When we see this figure, we have to be firm and take action when necessary. This means ensuring that screening in the areas where there are clusters.”
Jagdeep said there are seven clusters in Penang and until last night, a total of 1,424 cases were reported with screenings conducted on 13,408 people thus far.
The clusters are Intan (101 cases – 1,408 screenings), Bayan (149 cases – 3,325 screenings), Permatang (66 cases – 1,536 screenings), Alma (46 cases – 818 screenings), Penjara Reman Pulau Pinang (512 cases – 2,956 screenings), Penjara Seberang Perai (535 cases – 3,182 screenings) and Tembaga (15 cases – 174 screenings).
Some of the recipients posing with Jagdeep after receiving some basic necessities from their assemblyman.Talking about discipline, he said he was happy that until today, 1.08 million checks on premises have been conducted by both the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP).
He said about 430,000 premises in Penang island and about 650,000 premises in Seberang Perai were checked and the SOP compliance rates were 99.69% and 99.35% respectively.
Jagdeep later presented some basic necessities and face masks to some residents of the area. His Village Community Development Council (MPKK) team would be giving out the basic necessities to about 300 people and 10,000 face masks to the residents there.
MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang, who was also present, advised the public to continue complying with the SOPs and wish all a very Happy Deepavali.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi