Form panels, irrespective of race, to tackle Covid-19, says Anifah

 

Anifah Aman said race-based politics must be put aside in favour of effective policies that will help every ordinary Malaysian.

KOTA KINABALU: A former minister has called for the setting up of three national committees, headed by multiracial experts in their respective fields, to tackle the worsening Covid-19 situation.

Anifah Aman, a former foreign minister, said these committees should be in the medical, economic and security fields.

The heads should be given a free hand to nominate their members, comprising government administrators, academicians and market players, he added.

“These committees must be made up of Malaysians, without regard to their race or religion. They should then present their proposals to the relevant ministers. They must be allowed to engage international experts to assist if needed.

“They must be allowed to formulate health, social and political responses to better combat the Covid-19 situation in the country,” he said in a statement today.

Anifah said it was obvious that continuous lockdowns and economic restrictions were not working any more, adding that the time had come to allow these experts to assist.

He said despite all the national efforts and proposed changes, the health response will not work well without proper social and political responses.

Elaborating on the political aspects, Anifah said there should be three guiding principles in ensuring good governance in combating the pandemic.

“Firstly, race-based politics must be put aside in favour of the politics of effective policies that will help every ordinary Malaysian.

“Secondly, politicians must also accept that they are not professionals in any given field. They must therefore cede ground to experts on health, economics, public administration and disaster management,” he said.

Thirdly, he added, politicians must provide leadership by example, and observe the SOPs like ordinary citizens, adding that voters must punish misbehaving politicians at elections.

He reminded the government that the pandemic did not only affect health but also the social aspects as it touches on people’s livelihood.

“In practical terms, this means more direct government aid must be quickly disbursed to the poor and to the middle class who are increasingly being affected.

“This aid must be supplementary as opposed to merely allowing citizens to make withdrawals from the Employees Provident Fund, which is their own savings.

“Given that interest rates are at historic lows, the government should borrow where necessary and raise the statutory debt-to-gross domestic product ceiling if needed,” he added.

Anifah said to solve the lack of healthcare personnel, the government should use its diplomatic channels to seek help from other countries like China.

He said China had the experience in tackling the pandemic, so the government should request for 2,000 doctors, nurses, and health-related workers to assist frontliners as an emergency measure.

“China also has experience in building hospitals, not only effectively but also quickly.

“Brunei, for example, built a mega hospital with the help of China, adding that it was imperative for the government to change tactics and provide a better solution.

“Do not let pride get in the way of better administration, especially now, when the people are really suffering mentally, economically and physically. There is no shame in asking for help for the benefit of the people,” he said. - FMT