KUALA LUMPUR – The National Recovery Plan announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday has intensified public distrust of the government and politicians, said Ong Kian Ming.
The Bangi MP, in a statement today, said the plan’s lack of clarity is evident in the questions raised by the rakyat.
Among the issues brought up are the absence of a financial assistance programme, allowing Parliament to convene only in September at the earliest, the lack of detailed plans from each ministry, and what the government’s strategy is for school-going children who do not have access to devices to follow e-learning, he said.
“Will there be assistance for businesses – gyms, cinemas and restaurants – in the months of July and August, (businesses that) cannot survive beyond August?
“Can we be confident that if the number of cases drops below 2,000, it won’t increase again once some economic sectors are allowed to reopen?
“Some also raised the question of why Parliament is not considered essential, especially since all MPs and many of their staff, as well as civil servants who have to attend Parliament, have already received their Covid-19 vaccine shots (at least the first dose).”
The former deputy international trade and industry minister said mistrust has also materialised within communities, with cases of people reporting one another over minor breaches of the standard operating procedures.
“This is very worrying, especially from a societal cohesion standpoint.
We do not want to reach a stage of mistrust where neighbours turn against neighbours because there is a lack of food at the supermarkets, or because they are fighting over who would get vaccinated first.”
Ong suggested that sectors yet to reopen propose detailed SOPs to ensure a safe and secure way of resuming operations, initially at a limited capacity.
“Propose ideas for your company and sector to be part of the national vaccination programme, so that you can play a part in increasing the vaccination rate. For example, offer incentives or discounts for your services to people who have been vaccinated.
“Propose methods and means to ensure a revenue stream for your company or sector that require changes or flexibility in government regulations, to cover for the time before your sector is allowed to open fully.”
In light of the questions raised and the lack of public trust in the government, the lawmaker offered to share more of his views and provide consultations on a pro bono basis to sectors that require more guidance.
“This is what I think I can and should do as an elected representative with sufficient exposure to the different sectors of the economy, given my past experience as deputy international trade and industry minister, a former Boston Consulting Group consultant, a former academic at a private university in Malaysia, and as an MP for the last eight years.”
Yesterday, Muhyiddin announced a four-phase National Recovery Plan that involves transitions in the movement control order, and which depends on three main thresholds, including the daily Covid-19 caseload and available intensive care unit beds.
He gave an assurance that Parliament will reconvene in September or October under Phase 3 of the plan, as long as the SOPs are strictly complied with. – The Vibes, June 16, 2021
