Dr Kelvin Yii
KUCHING (July 3): The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) for Health, Science and Innovation will meet this month to discuss the country’s Covid-19 crisis management and the national immunisation programme, said its chairman Dr Kelvin Yii.
The Bandar Kuching MP said he will be calling for a meeting to comply with the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong’s order on July 28 that expressed the view for Parliament to convene as a check and balance mechanism to ensure transparent, integrity and accountable governance, especially in addressing public and community policy issues and financial affairs and national expenditure.
“In this regard, I as the Chairman of PSC for Health, Science and Innovation would like to inform that this Committee intends to hold a meeting on July 23, at 9.30am or any earlier date due to health-related issues especially the Covid-19 issue which has become increasingly worrisome in our country,” he said in a statement today.
Yii said that the PSC will comply with Parliament’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic as outlined by the management of Parliament, the National Security Council and the Ministry of Health.
“The Committee is also open to hold these meetings in hybrid format if it does not violate any of the Rules of Meeting of the Councils of the House of Representatives,” he said.
Yii pointed out that it is very worrying how hospitals across the country, especially in the Klang Valley, are becoming increasingly congested and under tremendous pressure with the Covid-19 ward now accommodating patients beyond its capacity.
He added that the situation is made particularly worrisome with the spread of three more violent new variants namely Beta variant B.1.351 (South Africa), Delta B.1.617.2 (India) and Alpha B.1.1.7 (UK).
“All these matters, including the development of the national immunisation programme, should be discussed in the meeting of the PSC for Health, Science and Innovation as soon as possible with all members of the Committee and persons with expertise and skills under Standing Order 83 (2) to discuss approaches.
“In addition, as stipulated under Standing Order 86, the Select Committee will also prepare and present a committee statement containing recommendations related to this issue based on discussions with experts from all sectors including the private sector, academia, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and others,” he said.
Yii is confident that by optimising the functions and roles of the Select Committee, it will assist the government in finding a thorough, fast and effective approach based on science and data.
“It is also important to ensure the transparency of the government’s approach to Covid-19 and also to activate a ‘whole of society, whole of government’ approach to address this issue,” he said.