KUCHING, Aug 19: The upcoming new government must come up with a new set of approaches to tackle Covid-19 pandemic when existing policies and measures are proven to have failed, says Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii.
“We cannot be doing the same thing over and over again, which has proven to fail especially under the previous PN (Perikatan Nasional) government,” he said.
He added that this subject matter, amongst others, was one of the 15 Parliamentary questions he had prepared and submitted for the coming Parliamentary session from Sept 6 to 30.
Believing that a ‘reset’ approach is required for the better of the nation, he said he would demand an explanation from the government by then on desperate issues such as overwhelmed needs for healthcare facilities and low vaccine coverage in some states.
“This will also include the government’s plan to re-open schools safely in the midst of the pandemic and help those students who have been left behind to catch up the lost year and a half especially those who couldn’t follow the home-based learning system.
“All these decisions must be based on science and data, and the government must have a comprehensive plan to deal with this as we approach Oct 3 (which is the day physcial schools are re-opening),” he said.
Dr Yii, who is also Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Health, Science and Innovation chairman, said he will also bring to Parliament the implementation of electoral reforms for a safer voting environment in view of the upcoming Sarawak Elections and possible General Elections.
He believed that a conventional election procedure would be disastrous and necessary standard operating procedure (SOP) must be in place before any elections are called in the near future.
“This should be a priority and must be implemented immediately if not the government is being irresponsible and risking the people’s life as well as limiting our democratic right to vote,” he asserted in a statement today.
On another note, he said he will be asking about Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Ministry’s progress for the past one year and a half especially of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Special Council as the pandemic is no excuse for the ministry’s dysfunction.
Focusing on the three main issues namely health, education and Sarawak rights, Dr Yii said he will continue to play his part as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the benefit of the people, regardless of who the ninth Prime Minister will be.
“I will continue to carry out my responsibility as an MP and bring up the voices of P195 Bandar Kuching to Parliament, especially to get answers and policy direction from the new government when it comes to issues of public interest especially on Covid-19 and the economy,” he added. — DayakDaily
