Ex-deputy Health DG slams minister over disinfection ‘publicity stunt’

KUALA LUMPUR: A former deputy Health director-general has lambasted Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin over a publicity stunt that put many people at risk of Covid-19 infection, while wasting public funds.

Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman raised the concern after Zuraida was seen donning a full protective gear surrounded by other personnel in a wet market in Jalan Othman in Petaling Jaya for the public disinfection operation on Monday (March 30).

"And look at the crowd, the publicity blast is already putting many people at risk.

"What a waste, the money spent could well be used for other more meaningful purposes - for example, hospital staff members having to prepare their own PPE (personal protective equipment) when they should be managing patients.

"To Nyah Kuman Covid-19 is to stay at home!" he said.

A video posted on Zuraida's Twitter also showed workers wearing full protective gear spraying buildings, roofs, ground and roads.

Dr Lokman also asked how the road and the curbs were being contaminated by Covid-19.

"Were infected persons coughing onto it en masse?

"Even if those road surfaces are contaminated, how could it get to your face, people scrubbing their hands on the contaminated road surfaces and touching their face?" he asked sarcastically.

Dr Lokman said the public places that needed cleaning and sanitising are surfaces that are frequently touched by people.

"If they want to disinfect buildings, for example, map out first surfaces that are likely to be contaminated such as lift buttons, lift walls and escalator railings," he said.