Covid-19: Civil society, experts team up over Putrajaya's 'lack of seriousness'

 

A group of civil society organisations have formed a coalition to pressure the government, which they say is not taking the magnitude of the Covid-19 pandemic seriously enough.

They also have the support of various experts who have drafted the health aspect of their proposed Emergency Action Plan.

“The purpose of this coalition is to mobilise mass support for a series of Emergency Action Plans, especially in the health and economy sectors.

“While we do not condone panic or undue alarmism, the authorities do not seem to be taking the magnitude of the problem we are facing nearly seriously enough.

“If they will not act on high alert, then the rakyat will put them on high alert,” the groups said in a joint-statement.

The coalition, dubbed “Tindak!”, comprising various civil society organisations including Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM), Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim), Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (Jerit), Projek #Bangsa Malaysia, Undi18, Borneo Komrad and Persatuan kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia (PKPIM).

They said the coalition will summarise key actionable demands and mobilise mass support for them based on the Emergency Action Plans.

The Health component of the action plan, drafted by Dr Amar Singh-HSS, Dr Khor Swee Kheng, Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman and Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar was announced this morning.

It is also endorsed by 20 health organisations including Academy of Medicine Malaysia (AMM), Malaysian Medical Association Public Health Society, Public Health Physicians Association of Malaysia and Malaysian Health Coalition.

“As a grassroots initiative, our primary concern is that the concern and voices of all the rakyat are heard loud and clear, especially the voices of all Covid-19 frontliners who are increasingly burdened by the worsening pandemic.

“We clearly need a whole-of-society approach, and we must recognise our shared responsibility to drive bottom-up leadership,” they said.

The groups said they will pressure the government to implement urgent actions but won’t resort to mass gatherings due to the Covid-19 situation. - Mkini