The Simpang Renggam MP argued that schools in certain “green zone” areas, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, should have been reopened sooner.

“Those in Putrajaya do not understand what is actually happening in Pulau Bum Bum and Orang Asli schools in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said on an online show organised by youth group Change Led by Young Generation (Challenger).

Bum Bum is an island off Semporna, Sabah.

“Some places did not have any Covid-19 cases. Why did they need to suffer the same fate as those in high-risk areas. Why was there no opportunity to start the school session earlier?” he asked.

Perlis became the first “green zone” state in April after it did not record any new cases for two weeks.

Maszlee said stringent SOPs for the reopening schools should have been planned in advance by the relevant ministries.

“As far as I know, on one island, there are only 10 students. No one is going in and out of the island and it has no Covid-19 cases, so why didn’t they just restart school (earlier)?

“The same goes for the Orang Asli schools in Kelantan, Pahang and Perak which are in the rural areas.”

He said the teachers and parent-teacher associations of such schools should have been empowered to discuss their reopening earlier.

All secondary school students as well as Primary 5 and 6 pupils returned to school on July 15, while Primary 1 to 4 pupils will resume classes on July 22.

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