GEORGE TOWN – The Penang State EXCO for Tourism, Arts, Culture and Heritage YB Yeoh Soon Hin told Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong not to divert public attention from the Federal Government’s failure to notify the Penang State Government on the arrival of the chartered flight from Medan, Indonesia to Penang.
“In regards to the issue of the chartered flight, Wee should look into how to effectively convey the information from the Federal Government to the State Government, instead of disregarding the fact that Penang State Government has not been notified on the approval given for the arrival of the charter flight to Penang,” said Yeoh.
Yeoh added that in his meeting with Air Asia and Penang Island Hospital, they had respectively confirmed that they liaised directly with the Federal authorities for all arrangements related to this charter flight.
“During this pandemic, the Penang State Government’s priority remains unchanged, which is to prioritise the safety and health of Penangites.
“This is also in line my meeting with the Indonesian Consul General in July this year which I emphasise that Penang will further collaborate with Indonesia to promote medical tourism after the pandemic. However, this was taken out of context by certain parties.”
Yeoh, in responding to the Transport Minister recent statement made on the Indonesia medical charter flight, emphasised that it is important now to concentrate on the prevention and control of the new pandemic cluster. He said any decision taken by the Federal Government should take into consideration the safety and health of Penangites, and State Government should be duly informed of any decisions or policies regarding this matter.