Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi has disagreed that the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration was a failed government as labelled by the opposition and netizens.
"If the people are saying that sometimes it is difficult to get assistance, maybe that is true. These are weaknesses and things we have to fine-tune and improve," he said when contacted yesterday.
"But to simply say this government is a failure, not doing anything to help the people, that's not true.
"The government has tried its best to manage the Covid-19 pandemic and it rolled out a lot of assistance to help the public," Alexander (above) said, referring to the six economic stimulus packages worth RM380 billion announced by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
The hashtag #kerajaangagal or failed government, which has been making its round in social media the past two months, was picked up by the opposition amid a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, accusing the government of practising double standards in enforcement as well as the delay in vaccine rollout.
Alexander stressed that the vaccination rollout has improved tremendously.
"The past few months saw a spike in Covid-19, the anxiety is understandable. The early stage of immunisation, which appeared to be a bit slow is now ramping up where more vaccination centres are opened up nationwide. I read good remarks from people who went through it.
"The government can improve. The coordinating minister for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (Khairy Jamaluddin) and his Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry are doing well. Same with the Health Ministry," said the GPS secretary-general.
GPS, a Sarawak-based ruling coalition that commands 18 parliamentary seats, is not a PN member but joined the Muhyiddin administration as a partner.
Alexander also dismissed that the news on the disagreements between two senior ministers - Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Azmin Ali - during a recent cabinet meeting over the total lockdown standard operating procedures (SOPs) could threaten the stability of the ruling coalition.
Alexander, who was not present at the cabinet meeting, believed both ministers may have differences of opinion on the ministerial issues, not politics.
"They have been working under tremendous pressure trying their best to do things right and (of course) trying to please the people. Naturally, sometimes their opinion may not be the same. There was some miscommunication.
"I, however, do not think there is anything more than that. It's not political," said the Kapit MP.
On June 2, Ismail set social media abuzz when he posted a photograph of himself closing the door of his office with the caption “I have closed the front door but…” and a dejected-looking emoji.
This sparked chatter that the Umno lawmaker wanted to signal his dissatisfaction over how many factories had been given approvals to operate.
Sources claimed both Ismail and Azmin disagreed over an eleventh-hour change that required businesses from all sectors to seek International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti)’s permission if they wanted to operate during the total lockdown period.
Ismail later downplayed the significance of his cryptic post. Azmin, meanwhile, urged the public to stop speculating on the matter.
Miti has since come under fire for its approval application mechanism, dubbed the Covid-19 Intelligent Management System (CIMS 3.0).
Unity government?
On another development, Alexander appeared unconvinced that the unity government is the way forward for the country where the opposition is invited to be part of the administration.
"I am not saying no (to unity government) but I'm just worried how people with different political ideologies and established mindset will come together.
"Can you imagine a cabinet meeting when ministers do not agree most of the time? Are we going to have a smooth government to tackle Covid-19?" he asked.
"Cabinet members may want to be seen by their respective political supporters so they may not want to lose to each other. The unity government may sound ideal, but is it practical?
"The way I see things now, the (PN) government can carry on. It is stable in that sense. Of course, people always argue about the number (of parliamentary seats controlled by Muhyiddin) but that doesn't bother me much. I just concentrate on my ministerial duties.
"There are many issues we have to tackle, issues that are not directly connected to Covid-19 but still need the attention of the ministry," Alexander added.
The "unity government" idea, or its derivatives, has been mooted by several quarters, including Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azalina Othman Said because Muhyiddin's government has been viewed as unstable since Umno's support was no longer certain.
Some have said that the issue may be raised during the series of meetings between the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and political party leaders starting from today. - Mkini
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