KUALA LUMPUR – DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng today acknowledged the soaring numbers of Covid-19 infections and mortalities, but said it is high time that the government reopens international borders by March 1.
In a statement, the Bagan MP said the normalisation of social interactions and resumption of business engagements will facilitate economic recovery and ensure job opportunities.
With Covid-19 gradually moving the nation into its endemic phase, Lim said there is no reason for any delay in reopening borders, a move he noted has been taken by many other countries.
He said any postponement would only harm the economy, particularly with the government having been ineffective in battling the virus.
“DAP is willing to put aside political differences and support the proposal by the National Recovery Council (NRC) to speedily reopen the country’s borders by March 1 in the interest of the national economy,” he said.
“While we must be tough on Covid-19 and its dangers, we must not be dictated upon until our lives and livelihoods are disrupted by a pandemic that is gradually becoming endemic, like the common flu.
“We must accept and adapt, and not fear living together with Covid-19 as many of our neighbouring countries have done.”
NRC chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had recommended on February 8 the reopening of international borders and proposed that travellers not be required to undergo mandatory quarantine, in a bid to assist Malaysia’s economic recovery.
In the same statement today, Lim noted that the number of cumulative infections has ballooned beyond three million cases in recent days.
With 32,276 deaths reported as of February 18, he pointed out that Malaysia now has the highest number of deaths per capita in the Asean and East Asian regions, with 972 deaths per one million people.
He pinned the blame on the Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional governments for continuously failing to manage the pandemic.
“These serial failures comprise SOP U-turns, policy flip-flops, double standards in both enforcement and compliance between VIPs and the rakyat, as well as leaders not committed to their duties.”
Lim said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and his government had also failed to lead by example when he and several other top leaders, including Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, blatantly flouted the law in recent days during campaigning in Johor.
“Will this matter be swept under the carpet with a piddling RM1,000 fine on Ismail Sabri, similar to the fine imposed on Hishammuddin? No wonder there is a trust deficit in the government leaders’ personal responsibility and accountability.”
Lim said it is for this reason that many Malaysians believe they can do a better job than the government in looking after themselves by ensuring their own safety without risking lives and livelihoods. – The Vibes, February 20, 2022
