GEORGE TOWN – Despite amassing absolute power during this state of emergency, the prime minister is powerless to contain Covid-19 and people have not enjoyed any benefit from the much-touted improvement in the economy, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The Langkawi MP on his social media channels said what is clear, though, is that the state of emergency cannot rein in the pandemic.
From 2,000 Covid-19 cases a day before the emergency, the nation now sees almost 7,000 infections a day, he added.
“The clear outcome of this emergency is that the position of the prime minister cannot be challenged and his power exceeds the federal constitution or any other legislation.”
Dr Mahathir said even touting an improvement in the economy does little to convince the people as they have yet to enjoy its benefits.
He also questioned the RM600 billion that the government said it has spent in the battle against Covid-19.
“Was it used for purchasing the vaccine? It is impossible to spend RM600 billion just for the vaccine. What is the price of it, who bought it, and why so few distributed to be administered?”
Dr Mahathir said in the United Kingdom, the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine reduced new cases by 70%.
In the United States, up to 128 million people have been vaccinated and new cases are dropping in numbers.
“Distancing among each other is important because the virus is airborne and can travel by the force of the wind. It is difficult, but there are no other ways to fight Covid-19,” said the former prime minister.
He said those who remain uninfected until now have adopted good standard operating procedures (SOPs), adding that it is better to strictly enforce it (SOPs) rather than issue summonses to people who are already impoverished by the pandemic.
“There is no need to award contracts for now. The lockdown will affect the economy, but it can recover. There are no recoveries for those who have died from Covid-19.” – The Vibes, May 25, 2021
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