PM: First year a balance between saving lives and keeping economy going

 

The Perikatan Nasional (PN) government had to take bold and proactive measures in order to protect lives and livelihoods the past year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, said Muhyiddin Yassin.

The prime minister said while the government enforced the movement control order (MCO) to curb the spread of the virus, it also implemented various economic stimulus packages worth RM305 billion to ease the people's burden and ensure business continuity.

"Our main challenge is to strike a fine balance between protecting lives and livelihoods. In short, protecting lives and livelihoods are the keywords which reflect the focus of the PN government the past one year,” he said in his One-Year Malaysia Prihatin keynote address in Putrajaya today.

Also present at the ceremony marking Muhyiddin's first year in office were Senior Minister for International Trade and Industry Mohamed Azmin Ali, Senior Minister for Defence Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Senior Minister for Works Fadillah Yusof, Senior Minister for Education Radzi Jidin, and heads of government departments.

Today marks the first anniversary of Muhyiddin's swearing-in as premier and he said the past year has mainly seen the country grappling with the pandemic which is a global health and economic crisis not seen since the 1930s.

He said Malaysia was not spared the impact of the pandemic, as more than 300,000 people had been infected with the virus and the country's economy shrank 5.6 percent in 2020.

"I give an assurance and 100 percent commitment that the Perikatan Nasional government will remain prihatin rakyat (a caring government)," he said.

Muhyiddin urged the people to register for Covid-19 vaccination via the MySejahtera app to help fight the pandemic and as a sign of support for the frontliners.

"I have taken my first dose and praise God I am healthy and able to work as usual. This vaccine is safe for me and God willing it is also safe for all of you. Let's all pray for protection against any misfortune and for all to be given lasting peace, security, and well-being,” he added.

- Bernama