KUALA LUMPUR: Following the recent revelation that the emergency ordinances were revoked on July 21, an opposition member of parliament urged the government to explain the fate of 65 private clinics operating as Covid-19 assessment centres (CAC) in Selangor.
Teo Nie Ching (PH-Kulai) said under the emergency ordinances, general practitioners registered with the Health Ministry were converted into CACs and authorised to issue home surveillance and quarantine orders.
"One of the emergency ordinances was about the government's power to appoint clinics and private medical facilities to become CACs.
"This would be in effect from April 1 to Aug 1, 2021. But now that the emergency ordinances have been annulled, what will happen to the private clinics appointed as CACs?" she asked at a press conference at parliament here today.
During the first day of the special parliament sitting yesterday, Minister in Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the ordinances were revoked on July 21 by Cabinet.
This revelation did not sit well with opposition MPs who pointed out that only the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has the power to revoke the ordinances and the proclamation of emergency.
In response to the criticism, Takiyuddin said he will address all questions related to the matter on Monday.
However, Teo insisted that the government not wait for Monday to give its explanation, adding that it is an issue that will affect all Malaysians.
"These appointed GPs must know immediately whether they are still authorised to issue orders and what happens to the previous orders for patients who are Covid-19 positive.
"We all remember what happened at the Stadium Melawati CAC as it was overcrowded.
"That is why one of our efforts was to appoint private clinics or healthcare facilities as CACs so we can disperse the crowds there.
"So if the emergency ordinance has been revoked, what happens to the home surveillance and observation orders since these facilities no longer have the authority?" Teo questioned.
