Letter to Editor
THE situation in the country is very serious and there is no time to experiment with half-baked policies. It requires urgent intervention even if they are deemed contrary to the provision in the constitution or the laws of the country.
Malaysia recorded 11,079 COVID-19 cases and 125 deaths in the past 24 hours. The previous record high infections were 9,353 on July 10.
The record numbers today come on the heels of a total lockdown and many other semi-locked down over the last two years that had not seen the numbers dwindling but have been steadily rising.
I would fully support former prime minister Tun Dr. Mahathir’s proposal of a special organisation to be set up immediately, with special powers to act to reduce the increase in new cases, to reduce until it ceases to be a threat to the lives and activities of the people.
The organisation must be given the same powers and authority as that given to the National Operation Council in the 1969-1971 Emergency. It should be funded by the Government, civil servants and various experts in the field to be drawn into the committee.
It is hoped that with the committee, politicians from both sides of the divide would support the idea of the committee manned by professionals who look at problems facing the country holistically.
The present spate of confusion is perhaps on account of the various ministries working in silos and the establishment of the council would help resolve the problems definitively.
The committee would be free from people with political ideologies who would be able to deal with the problems arising from the pandemic robustly.
With the onset of more virulent strains on the horizon and countries that had been successful in containing the pandemic also experiencing surging cases, it would be important to have a council manned by professionals.
It is hoped that the proposed committee would be able to function until the country reaches herd immunity and the national economy is fully restored.
It has been too long that Malaysians are watching political leaders scrambling and jostling to put the fragmented coalition in order without giving serious attention to the problem at hand, while the pandemic and the resultant loss of jobs and the increased number of suicides on account of emotional and psychological pressures.
This letter comes as a passionate plea to politicians from both sides of the divide to put aside their differences and work together in resolving the health and economic crisis that has besieged this beloved nation.
Malaysia ,which was considered a land of abundance and plentiful with its multi-racial population living harmoniously together has suddenly turned out to be a land of glum and sombre atmosphere, with people hoisting their white flags calling for help as they have difficulties making their barest ends meet.
It is hoped that the committee of the likes proposed Tun Dr. Mahathir would be readily accepted by all and politicians must concentrate on elevating the nation from the scourge of the pandemic. – July 14, 2021
Sathish Govind
Petaling Jaya
