Light at the end of pandemic

 

KLANG: With a new Prime Minister appointed and his Cabinet in place today, many Malaysians say their National Day wish is for political stability and economic progress to move the country forward.

Their chief hope is that the government focuses on the health and economic crises caused by the Covid-19 pandemic so that lives can be saved and livelihoods restored.

They see this year’s National Day as the beginning of a new era that will bring the Malaysian Family and their combined strengths together to collectively overcome these challenging times.

Malay Businessmen and Industrialists Association of Malaysia (Perdasama) president Mejar (R) Datuk Abdul Rahim Saad said Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s new government must prioritise the opening of the economy.

He said since hospital admissions of serious Covid-19 cases have come down, the time was right for the government to revitalise small businesses which had faltered during the peak of the pandemic.

“It will take time but they have to start now.

“As for the pandemic, I am sure the new Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin will do a good job as he has proven himself in the previous Cabinet,’’ said Abdul Rahim.

He added that hopefully, the National Day would be the turning point for families that had not seen each other for more than a year due to the pandemic, to finally reconnect.

“Hopefully we can finally visit each other but we must also accept and understand that this can only be done under very strict standard operating procedures,’’ he added.

KL & Selangor Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KLSICCI) honorary secretary-general Nivas Ragavan concurred and said given that Malaysians were facing the pandemic head-on collectively, unity has been strengthened.

“We should embrace the strengthening of our unity and treat each other respectfully with dignity, in a fair manner.

“Our politicians should play a pivotal role at this point of time.

“Set an example by advocating gender equality and unity among Malaysians,’’ he added.

Academic Dr Mastura Mahamed, from Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Modern Languages and Communication Faculty, said the main priority was to strengthen the entire nation’s well-being.

“The Merdeka spirit must boost a new beginning for all Malaysians regardless of gender, race, religion and physical ability,’’ said Dr Mastura who is living with cerebral palsy.

Damai Disabled Persons Association president V. Murugeswaran said his main hope was for the nation to be able to free itself from the Covid-19 grip.

“The celebration of the 64th Independence Day marks Malaya’s freedom from British colonisation.

“I hope this meaningful day will mark a new beginning for Malaysia to be free of the Covid-19 pandemic so that we can return to normalcy,’’ he added.

Businessman Datuk Liu Thim Soon said he has a good feeling that Malaysia was on its way to overcoming the recent trials and tribulations.

“I am always positive about the situation in our beautiful country in spite of the recent challenges.

“Now with the new government emphasising on a family concept of inclusiveness, I am looking forward to it becoming a reality from this National Day onwards,’’ added Liu.

Paws Animal Welfare Society kennel manager Edward Lim said he hoped the upcoming National Day would also be a positive turning point in the welfare and plight of the nation’s street animals.

“I also hope the new government, besides getting the Covid-19 pandemic under control and reviving the economy, will also look at formulating a more humane way to handle the nation’s street animals,’’ said Lim. - Star