KUCHING, June 16: The so-called National Recovery Plan by the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government is merely “a shell” devoid of real substance and strategy.
This is the view of Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii who held that the plan has in no way inspired confidence or show a way forward for businesses and even the public post Covid-19.
“This shows that the government has little to no plans for a proper exit strategy when it comes to properly transitioning out of this MCO (Movement Control Order),” said Dr Yii in a statement today.
Dr Yii was referring to the four-Phase National Recovery Plan announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday. The plan is to be an exit plan to lead Malaysia out of the current economic slowdown caused by Covid-19 pandemic.
He said for the past year, businesses and the public have been crying out for leadership and direction to steer them through this storm, but not only was this recovery plan announced too late, it offered little substance and support for many businesses that are struggling, and some may not even survive until Phase 4.
“The is also a clear lack of plans to address the losses incurred by shutting down economic sectors that are not considered essential over the past 15 months including those in the entertainment business, reflexology centres or even businesses involving social gatherings, among others.
“The government really needs to step in and step up when private businesses are failing in the current crisis economy while workers are losing their jobs,” said Dr Yii.
Dr Yii believed that decision whether to open the economy depended on science and not on absolute cases.
“The fact of the matter is, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommendation is for the country to maintain the positive rate below five per cent for 14 days before considering opening the economy. That is the clear science, not purely based on absolute cases.
On top of that, he said it was regrettable that PN did not consider the opening of Parliament as an essential service during this pandemic even though all Members of Parliament (MPs) have already been vaccinated.
“One of the main solutions to our current problems is to restore parliamentary democracy in our country so that all MPs can play their part to contribute suggestions and ideas to the current governments and also provide proper check and balance to the system.
“If we look at examples all around the world including the United Kingdom and even Singapore, when cases are in the increase in a certain country, they will have more Parliamentary meetings to not only update the public on government plans, but also to get input from all quarters to activate the whole of government, whole of society approach.
“The days that ‘government knows best’ are over,” said Dr Yii. — DayakDaily
