Lack of statesmanship in the battle against Covid-19

There are times when leaders must put aside their political differences to tackle issues of national importance. It is only through a united stand that an effective solution can be found, without disrupting the workings of the government.

Such a time has come with the onslaught of Covid-19, which is leaving vast swathes of deaths all over the world. The dreaded disease has arrived at our shores and has already infected hundreds of people.

Although a little bit tardy, the new government acted with a renewed sense of urgency by placing the country under a partial shutdown. This is commendable.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin looked appropriately serious and stern the night he addressed the nation that was in a grip of fear and anxiety. He was rallying the nation to face a crisis, which is threatening the survival of the country.

But the new leader did not rise above partisan politics in the fight against Covid-19, the country's number one public enemy. He did not invite the heads of government in opposition-ruled states to participate in a meeting to discuss the enforcement of the partial shutdown.

This is playing politics at a time when it is least needed. What could have been the rationale for restricting opposition-held states from moving into the national mainstream on a matter of life and death?

It was a slip-up, responded an apologetic chief secretary to the government Mohd Zuki Ali (below), who took sole blame for this "mistake". But surely when Muhyiddin called for such a meeting, he could not be unaware that the disease has crossed the borders of all states?

Did Muhyiddin himself instruct Zuki to arrange for this meeting but to leave out the states that are not ruled by his wobbly coalition government? Then, when the matter came under the glare of publicity, did the boss order him to take the blame and issue an apology?

Or did Zuki take it upon himself to play politics in order to please the backdoor government? If he did, he must have got a big pat on the back for rendering his service in recognition of the new political masters.

Whatever the reasons are, one thing is clear: you do not play partisan politics with the lives of millions of Malaysians who are all facing a merciless enemy that lurks everywhere - unseen, relentless, unstoppable.

In tackling the many problems plaguing the country, Muhyiddin cannot pursue myopic policies that punish people in the Pakatan Harapan-held states, while pouring money and goodies galore into states under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) umbrella.

Penalising or impoverishing a state because its leaders do not want to cross over to Muhyiddin's camp to give him the numbers is bad governance. The only way PN can legitimise its right to rule is by going back to the people to seek their mandate.

Only a few weeks in office and already Muhyiddin and his coalition government are showing symptoms of the arrogance of power characterised by their push for Malay supremacy in their cabinet set-up. And now, disregarding many states in the all-important fight against Covid-19.

A statesman must look at the broader picture and rise above the murky world of partisan politics in addressing, not only a national crisis, but also the small, everyday concerns of citizens in all states.

Muhyiddin has failed to display vision and statesmanship in handling the Covid-19 crisis at this early stage and hence, there is little hope he will adopt a bipartisan approach. For he is not a prime minister of all Malaysians but a prime minister of only certain states.

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PHLIP RODRIGUES is a retired journalist. - Mkini