KOTA KINABALU – United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau is pushing a Dewan Rakyat motion for the government to set up a federal-state council for economic and people’s health recovery.
The Tuaran MP said that the proposed council will have the prime minister as chairman and opposition leader as deputy chairman.
“It is proven that the National Security Council has failed to handle the Covid-19 situation in the country. It is time for a new and revised method to be put to work.
“I hope that the speaker will consider this motion despite the fact that I am from the opposition, in line with Yang Di-Pertuan Agong’s hope to see a more inclusive and stable politics in the future,” he said in a virtual press conference today.
Madius said he had submitted the motion to the Dewan Rakyat secretary on Thursday so that it could be discussed in the parliament in September.
In the proposed council, Tangau listed that its members would be from three groups, including:
– Several ministers (defence; health; science, technology and innovation; international trade and industry; home affairs; tourism; education as well as Sabah and Sarawak affairs)
– Opposition MPs from different parties with the same number
– Chief ministers and menteris besar from all states
Tangau said the council would also acquire input from professionals and experts in the economic, medical and health, as well as education sectors along with the leaders of the civil service, army, and police.
He said the proposed council could conduct a meeting once a week, possibly a day before the cabinet does, to receive reports and take actions on problems relating to the Covid-19 infection rate, hospitalisations, business closures, unemployment rate, vaccination rate and key economic sector’s performances.
“Currently, the policymaking regarding standard operating procedures (SOPs) and related policies does not involve the chief ministers, menteris besar and the opposition MPs.
“With this motion, they will also be included. Not only that they know their respective states better, but they would also play a role together to convince the rakyat to accept any policy or SOPs produced by the council,” he said.
Tangau said the council would also discuss the public health sector that falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government, so as to give more authority to state governments to assist in the pandemic such as using state funds for hospitals.
“The previous administration under Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had rejected voices of the opposition. I hope that under the new prime minister, it will be different and that motions from us will be considered as well,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lembah Pantai MP cum PKR communications chief Fahmi Fadzil said he supports Madius’ motion but said he is worried that it will not see the light of the day.
“It is a motion that is worth considering... I hope that the new administration would give space to the opposition to bring their motion to be tabled because this is regarding the welfare of the people,” he said. –The Vibes, August 22, 2021
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