Zuraida lambasted for donning hazmat suit during sanitation exercise

PETALING JAYA: The Movement Control Order (MCO) period isn’t the time for politicians to seek cheap publicity, says Johor Baru MP Akmal Nasrullah Md Nasir.

Akmal, who trained his guns on former party colleague Zuraida Kamaruddin, lambasted the Housing and Local Government Minister for wearing a full white personal protective equipment (PPE) suit during a sanitation exercise.

“At this crucial hour, the minister shouldn’t waste time and gather crowds for launching events with gimmicks.

“She should skip the stunts so that her PPE (suit) and the officers can be used to support our frontliners, ” said Akmal.

Akmal was referring to Zuraida's participation on Monday (March 30) in a disinfection exercise conducted by her ministry in Petaling Jaya.

Akmal said Zuraida’s participation in the sanitation exercise contributed to the issue of PPE shortage nationwide.

“The minister, who is not involved as a frontliner, will also cause a waste of resources in government hospitals, which are facing shortages of PPEs.

“In fact, some officers are even forced to use plastic bags as PPE to carry out their duties, ” said Akmal in a statement Tuesday (March 31).

Akmal also said Zuraida’s participation contributed to a wastage of manpower, as officers were required to adhere to certain government protocols for a ministerial event.

“For example, some officers who should have been working were forced to be used for escort purposes and to assist the minister in the gimmick, ” he added.

Major public cleaning and sanitisation exercises have started in six areas identified as Covid-19 red zones – Lembah Pantai, Petaling Jaya, Hulu Langat, Seremban, Johor Baru and Kluang.

The sanitation exercises will eventually cover more than 47 red and orange zone areas nationwide.