KUALA LUMPUR – Aware of an online petition calling on her to be made interim prime minister, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz said she is now happily retired, and emphasised that it takes more than a new face in the top office to turn things around.
The former international trade minister told The Vibes that Malaysia needs committed teams of people who do not have politics in mind, but are focused on helping the nation “get out of the rut of haphazard management”.
“I have made several proposals… I guess no one bothered. It is about parallel tracks of action and policy measures to address the pandemic and economy.
“(It is) not just ‘a new PM’. There are also opportunists around.”
The only “strategic plan” that members of the government have is on “how to cling on to power, by hook or by crook”, she said.
Rafidah, dubbed the country’s “Iron Lady”, suggested that Covid-19 testing be made a must for factory and business owners, with the costs offset by tax breaks.
“Covid-19-positive workers can be identified, isolated and treated. With that, there should be rules and SOPs for managing workers. If there are violations on the part of the management, the government must impose penalties on them. No two ways about it.”
The petition backing Rafidah as interim prime minister, started less than 24 hours ago, has received over 28,000 signatures.
It said the interim administration “needs a firm leader, one with little to no baggage, no current political affiliations, nor affiliations through family ties. The leader must have a proven track record in administration, working with the civil service, commanding its respect. He/she must have some international exposure to attract FDI”.
“The only individual for the job is Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz. We need to encourage her to assume the post, and give her the power to form her team. No need to attach conditions for this position. The country is in dire need of help from the outside,” it continued. – The Vibes, July 10, 2021
