Umno Youth urges political ceasefire

 

PETALING JAYA: Umno Youth has called for a political ceasefire and for politicians to focus on national reconciliation as the country deals with a resurgence of Covid-19 cases.

Its chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki (pic) said the Covid-19 situation is troubling as cases continue to rise while the economy is shrinking, adding that it has directly affected the people’s livelihoods.

“It’s the right time for politicians, regardless of political affiliations, to declare a ceasefire in order to think of the best solutions for the people’s sake.

“Maybe this is the best time for all parties to set aside their differences and give focus to the Agenda Perdamaian Nasional (national reconciliation agenda), ” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.

The call was made in the wake of opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong last Tuesday to inform the King that he had “strong, formidable and convincing” support of lawmakers to form a new government, although he did not provide names of MPs to back his claim.

Umno supreme council members are set to meet today to discuss its cooperation with Perikatan Nasional.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan has said the party will present its demands for continued support in a letter to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin after the meeting.

Asyraf said “national reconciliation” does not mean that each party has to disregard its political identities or struggles but it could allow them to temporarily suspend any power struggles.

“We should mobilise efforts and resources together to come up with the best formula to help the rakyat who are suffering from the impact of the pandemic.

“There is a need for political will, commitment and sincerity to ensure the success of the agenda.

“Don’t let us be punished by the rakyat who are sick and tired of politicians fighting over power endlessly, ” he said.

Meanwhile, former human resources minister M. Kulasegaran called on the government to stop “intense politicking” and come up with an effective strategy to help workers and businesses impacted by the conditional movement control order.

The Ipoh Barat MP and DAP vice-chairman also urged the government to increase wage subsidies.

“It’s time the government took the systemic nature of our industries into consideration and come up with strategic initiatives to aid these industries and their workers through training and technological innovation, ” he said. - Star