The last thing we want to hear is a Dewan Rakyat ‘debate’

We have heard repeated calls from some politicians for a longer session of the Dewan Rakyat.

They argue that it is for the sake of democracy, and they claim to have ideas and plans on fixing the economy.

But their recent actions have called into question their sincerity.

They would watch like hawks for harmless mistakes by the current government. One slip of the tongue, even a typo, and all hell would break loose.

That such attacks would be counter-productive to public welfare at a time the country is facing its biggest crisis since independence is of no concern to them.

Case in point is the overboard and virulent mauling of the health minister over his Covid-19 prevention tip. Or the mistake he made when stating the number of countries in the world. He was crucified by PH leaders, with the help of a PH online mouthpiece.

What ideas or plans have they come up with thus far to their former colleagues now in power?

The Covid-19 crisis was not created by PN. It was something inherited from PH, unresolved, and some say, unmanaged.

It is a fact, one that has been slowly gaining global recognition, that the Malaysian government has done well to flatten the curve. It is not solely because of the director-general of health, as he himself has credited government leaders for all the correct decisions taken to contain the pandemic.

So why the PH leaders’ obsession with dressing up for the Dewan Rakyat?

For 22 months, they had the opportunity to bring much needed reforms, including to Parliament, the institution they now crave so much. Nothing happened. Now, they insist on convening the Dewan Rakyat in the middle of a pandemic!

During their fling with power, many spent time plotting, attacking and demanding that Dr Mahathir Mohamad step down.

There’s so much to do to build this nation. An extra day or week of Parliament is not the magic cure.

A constructive discussion can be a starting point. We all know that is not something our Parliament can offer.

People are truly fed up with politics. Just like those in developed nations, people want some semblance of stability, and they want the economy fixed.

Between hearing our MPs “debating” and putting bread on the table, the answer is obvious.

Edward Tan is an FMT reader.