By K Veeriah
WHEN citizens of a nation are forced to pull their resources to save themselves, it is a clear manifestation of a Government that has lost its moral compass to lead the country.
From food banks to providing the next meal, conscious stricken Malaysians have come together to lend whatever assistance they can to those who are financially crippled as a consequence of the lockdowns imposed by the authorities.
Never have we seen a “white flag” movement just so that those, who are left with no means to put food on the table, can hope for some relief from caring Malaysians.
Movement control orders, or lockdowns, were supposed to arrest the escalation of COVID-19 infections. In reality, the reverse is the truth but the adverse impact of such lockdowns has resulted in loss of jobs, reduced disposable income through pay cuts and an estimated 600,000 households (about two million people) are sliding down from the M40 to the B40 segment of society. What more can we speak of those who have descended to the demarcated poverty level?
It is obvious that the most marginalised and vulnerable segment of society stand deprived of eking out a living, as a consequence of the lockdowns.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has opined that lockdown do not necessarily translate to an effective approach to contain the pandemic and it only makes poor people poorer. That seems to be what we are witnessing in our country.
Our tourism and hospitality industry are in tatters, culminating in massive job losses. Thousands of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) have shuttered and thousands more are expected to go down the same path if the current conditions continue.
The said sentiments have also been echoed by a wide category of those involved in the manufacturing sector. Trade organisations, representing countries of investment, have casted apprehension of their continued presence in the country.
Faced with such unprecedented adversity, we would have expected the Government to roll out a comprehensive and sustained scheme of financial relief to the people. On the contrary, what we have seen is piece meal hand-outs masquerading as aid.
By large, the most disgusting “aid” was asking the citizens to dip into their Employees Provident Fund (EPF) retirement savings to seek financial redress for themselves, when it ought to have been the primary responsibility of the Government to provide such financial assistance to the improvised strata of the society.
The elites revel while citizens become destitute
The pittance, handed out as financial assistance to the people as compared to the waste of public funds to maintain an inept yet bloated Cabinet team, as an example, may well be an appropriate metaphor to the matter!
Confronted with insurmountable economic and mental pressure, there has been a spike in cases of suicide among the vulnerable segment of society, brought about by an inadequate social security network.
The fact that more females have taken their lives ought to be of grave concern. Shockingly, there has been reported cases of students in institution of higher studies taking their lives! Though the said situation warrants an immediate need for a proactive mental health support system, the Government seems to have put on blinkers in the matter.
Whilst the people suffer, the political scheming to stay in power continues. On the ground, there is a feeling of hopelessness with the leadership. People are exasperated with the toxic pursuit for political expediency by those in Government while the people continue to suffer economic and mental stress.
The current political uncertainties are a cause of concern as the nation needs political stability to move the forward.
Unemployment, hovering at about 4.5%, would certainly worsen if the various economic sectors stay padlocked. Both local and foreign investments, that contribute to job creation, have declined. Sans such needed investments, we may either register mediocre gross domestic product (GDP) growth at the best or even a contraction, at worst.
Views have been expressed that we are heading towards becoming a failed nation. Regardless of such opinions we, the citizens, need to believe that there is salvation. But the question that we need to postulate is whether the current political leadership has the moral compass to continue to lead the nation? – July 18, 2021.
K Veeriah is a veteran unionist and contributor to FocusM
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Photo credit: iProperty
