KOTA KINABALU – Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has described the government’s plan to let Parliament reconvene under a hybrid format as a half-baked effort and not the answer to the Covid-19 crisis.
Shafie in a statement today said the time has come to call a conventional parliamentary sitting to thoroughly discuss the coronavirus issue in the country.
“We cannot allow this situation to worsen. It is constitutional and fundamental for Parliament to sit. This is a serious matter and must be dealt with seriously.”
Parliamentary sittings have been suspended since January, following a state of emergency declaration to deal with the pandemic.
“Despite the emergency declaration, the number of Covid-19 infections is increasing, while the rate of vaccination is low,” said Shafie.
When the state of emergency was declared on January 12, the daily number of Covid-19 cases stood at 3,309, with a caseload of 141,533, while the number of fresh fatalities was four, with a death toll of 559.
On June 3, under the state of emergency, daily infections had climbed to 8,209, with a caseload of 595,374. The number of fresh fatalities was 103, with a death toll of 3,096.
Shafie said it is clear that the government has failed to manage the Covid-19 crisis and seems to be struggling with it, much to the people’s anger and frustration.
“The economy of our country has reached a point where businesses are closing down and the people are crying out for help after having lost their livelihood.
“Analysts, economists and industries have aired their opinions and made recommendations on what Malaysia can do to prevent a further decline.
“But is the government taking them seriously?
“We need Parliament to sit so we can discuss these issues.
“We must deal with the pandemic and economic problems for us to move forward.”
He said countries like Australia, Singapore and the United Kingdom, as well as many other parliamentary democracies, have allowed their legislative arm to sit and address the health crisis and plan for economic recovery.
“Large-scale events like the Olympics are going ahead with standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place, and similarly with Friday prayers in Malaysia.
“Shopping malls and supermarkets are also allowed to operate with set SOPs.
“Holding parliamentary sessions is essential, and if the government can allow for essential factories to open, then why not something that is as crucial as Parliament?
“Just restrict it to the 220 MPs. There’s no need for their officers to attend.
“Furthermore, I believe all MPs have already been vaccinated.” – The Vibes, June 5, 2021
