To cure the economy, end the health crisis says senator

 

Senator Liew Chin Tong says the economic crisis can only be tackled once the health crisis is over.

PETALING JAYA: The country’s economic crisis can only be tackled once the health crisis is under control, according to Senator Liew Chin Tong.

“We need to test as many people as possible (for Covid-19),” he said at an online forum today. However, the country did not have enough medical officers.

Liew, a strategist for DAP, said Pakatan Harapan had suggested that jobless Malaysians, such as former tour guides, be trained to carry out contact tracing.

At least 30,000 Malaysians could be hired, adding that the government needs to step in temporarily to provide jobs as the private sector is unable to do so.

Liew also said banks should give a moratorium to those in need, as banks collect interest and do not lose out when providing moratorium.

“If companies cannot survive, there will be more unemployment,” he said.

Liew urged the government to give cleaning contracts to individuals so that they will hire Malaysians to do the job. For instance, he said in Penang, the state government did not continue the contract of contractors who hired foreign workers but gave the contracts to individuals.

Young people not keen on politics

Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, a former youth minister, said young Malaysians are concerned about their future and jobs. “They are not keen on politics,” he said, adding that they perceived politicians as people seeking positions to fulfil their self-interest.

Syed Saddiq criticised politicians for being “too focused on political survival” while about 800,000 people are jobless and others are underemployed.

He said the government needs to help the middle income group from the revenue gained from higher palm oil prices.

Small traders who had enough money to make do when the MCO was first imposed last year now find their money has dried up, he said. Small traders also find it difficult to discuss their problems with banks, while those who get loans must bear a high interest rate.

He also called on everyone to focus on jobs and the issues affecting the rakyat instead of focusing on general elections.

Amanah vice-president Mahfuz Omar said the government could have bought tablet computers for students instead of spending RM35 million to build three multipurpose halls in Johor.

He said tablets cost about RM500 each and the money could be used for children to study. - FMT