KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 11): A commotion erupted in the Dewan Rakyat sitting today when Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (GPS-Bintulu), while debating the Supply Bill 202, said that "DG (Health DG) takut mati" (is afraid of dying).

Tiong questioned why the Health DG (Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah) did not go out into the field to see for himself the situation of the Covid-19 pandemic, instead only holding daily press conferences via live telecast.

“Why didn’t he go out into the field, such as in Kota Kinabalu which is very bad, the Covid-19 pandemic is worsening. Why didn’t he visit every hospital, temporary hospital, go there and give moral support to the frontliners. Doctors, nurses are all working [on locations there].

“Don't just send doctors and nurses there. Oh, those frontliners aren’t afraid of dying but DG is. His deputy did not go either. What is happening? No need to do daily briefings. I hear that he now wants (to become) WHO (World Health Organisation) secretary-general, that is not right, I think,” he said.

Tiong’s statement has caused RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) to ask the Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said to stop Tiong from "attacking" the Health DG and wants the statement to be withdrawn.

“Respect the DG, don’t attack him, DG is a frontliner, retract that statement,” urged Rayer.