GEORGE TOWN – Ahead of the Dewan Rakyat’s special sitting on Monday, Seberang Jaya assemblyman Afif Bahardin says changing the government will not resolve the health and economic crisis afflicting the country now.
Afif claimed that even if there were changes, it would not be an outright lift for the nation.
The former PKR Youth deputy head, who defected to Bersatu was referring to the country’s three main crises: the worsening Covid-19 pandemic, the slumping economy and the political impasse.
“No politician on the part of the government or the opposition can make meaningful changes now as both are not held in high regard by the people. So, it is pointless to debate who better governs the country,” said Afif during a televised dialogue session on Astro Awani last night.
The other panellists were Kedah PKR chairman Datuk Johari Abdul and socio-political commentator Hishamuddin Rais.
“If we continue to debate about who has the numbers (to lead) or about who should become the prime minister, the people may grow fed up and desperate. They may take their own action.”
He said that the constant raising of issues with relation to the crises does not resolve the problems that people are facing, especially during the onset of the pandemic.
According to Afif, elected representatives need to return to the basics of winning the people’s confidence by devoting more time to serving them.
“The (Parliament) sitting is the best platform to address various issues,” said Afif.
The people would also be observing the opposition’s conduct at the sitting – whether they would play a constructive role or blindly condemn every measure taken by the government, he added.
“Any government needs the cooperation of its people to ensure the success of its initiatives to combat the crises. The government’s main objective is to empower the resources and strength of the country to fight Covid-19.”
He said that the crises can be resolved in stages, starting with public healthcare restoration followed by economic growth and finally, finding a solution to the political crises. – The Vibes, July 23, 2021
