By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Aug 27: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has advised his new Cabinet team of 69 ministers and deputies to work fast, act swiftly and in unity to free Malaysia from the threat of Covid-19 pandemic as well as economic and political turmoil.
In unveiling the new Cabinet line-up today, which is without a deputy prime minister and retaining most senior figures, Ismail Sabri said that each ministry will need to prove their initial achievement within the first 100 days.
“I will make sure this Cabinet emphasises a high-performance work culture. Therefore, each minister needs to make short-term and long-term planning and achieve the set targets,” he said in a televised address today.
The formation of this Cabinet, Ismail Sabri pointed out, is a re-formulation based on the current situation, in order to maintain the stability and put the interests and safety of the Malaysian family above all else.
He acknowledged that Malaysia is in a dire situation as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the economic downturn exacerbated by the country’s political instability.
“The Cabinet line-up is selected from a combination of those who are experienced and able to help revive the country’s economy by supporting entrepreneurs, facilitating business, and reviving economic activities as well as increasing investor confidence.
“To face current challenges, the Cabinet needs to be result-oriented based on three principles – sensitive to current needs, responsible and trustworthy and restore the confidence of the people.
“The Cabinet line-up is also taking a new approach that is more open, by honouring the aspirations of the Malaysian Family through more efficient delivery of services and information,” he added.
Based on World Health Organisation (WHO) projections, Ismail Sabri noted that people around the world including Malaysia will have to live with Covid-19 which will eventually become endemic, and become a permanent part of human life.
The emergence of a more aggressive Variant of Concern (VOC) around the world, he said, showed that those who have been vaccinated can still be infected with the disease.
“As such, the government will strengthen the Malaysia National Health Agenda (ANMS) in educating the Malaysian Family to live with the virus. We need to continue to control all risks of Covid-19 and adopt a new normal lifestyle.
“I will make sure that the new Cabinet is committed to achieving the national agenda, through cross-party cooperation to drive economic recovery for the wellbeing of the people,” he stressed.
In line with the direction of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), Ismail Sabri emphasised that economic activities will be opened in phases to enable the people to start working and earn a living safely.
“In this regard, the Cabinet and ministries must be able to shoulder this responsibility with commitment and be more proactive.
“I hope the appointment of this Cabinet will give new confidence for the country to rise up and unite in the fight against Covid-19 as well as free the Malaysian Family from the misery of life as a result of this pandemic,” he said. — DayakDaily
