Covid-19: Several MPs worried about Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister's presence in Parliament

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 25): Several MPs are a bit concerned about Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri’s  presence in Parliament after news that an officer in one of the ministry’s agencies tested positive for Covid-19, reported The Star.

Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (PH-Balik Pulau) was reported to have said that “everyone in the ministry”, including the Nancy Shukri, “should be placed under self-quarantine” since an officer in Tourism Malaysia tested positive for disease.

"There was a circular that says all staff at the ministry should be under self-quarantine, this should include the Minister who should not be present here in the House," said Bakhtiar.

An argument then ensued with Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun explaining that Nancy had already tested negative but other lawmakers reminded him that the incubation period for the virus is 14 days, so, the minister should adhere to the standard operating procedure of home quarantine.

Former health minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (PH-Kuala Selangor) (pictured) added that a negative test “does not mean the Minister should be allowed to be present in the House as she needs to observe the quarantine, reported The Star.

Azhar then said he “will check on the matter”.

In a report by Bernama, MOTAC said that contact tracing found that Nancy Shukri had no direct contact with the infected officer and that this was verified by the Ministry of Health.

It said Nancy took a COVID-19 swab test at 5.15 pm yesterday and the result was negative.

As a precautionary measure, Nancy is scheduled to have undergone another swab test this morning, the statement said.

The same report stated that an aide to Nancy confirmed that the minister was at the ministry office at the Sultan Abdul Samad Building in Kuala Lumpur.

“During the Parliament session, YB Minister operates from the office in Kuala Lumpur. She had no contact with the infected officer and this has been verified (through contact tracing) by the Ministry of Health,” she said.

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