THE Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) and Malaysian Islamic Chamber of Commerce (DPIM) have welcomed new Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri’s Keluarga Malaysia approach but reminds that it can only materialise with a cross-party pact that ensures political stability and improves policy governance.
Such effort can only be carried out through parliamentary reform and a Federal-State council on economic recovery and health that includes the opposition, state governments, experts and stakeholders from businesses and society.
“MCCC and DPIM call upon Ismail Sabri to continue former PM Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s effort to reach a cross-party peace plan with the Opposition with an even bolder package,” both chambers pointed out.
“We also urge the 105 Opposition MPs in PH (Pakatan Harapan), Warisan, Pejuang, PSB, UPKO and MUDA to take a pragmatic approach in considering any offer from the new Government.”
MCCC and DPIM further stressed that Malaysia needs a cross-party pact to both sustain the Government for a minimum of 12-18 months while significantly improve the quality of policymaking and implementation.
“Without political stability and better governance, Malaysia will lag behind neighbouring countries in post-COVID-19 recovery, which may push back our economic strength by one generation,” cautioned both chambers.
MCCC and DIPM also noted that Malaysia’s pandemic and economic policies have been hampered by two structural weaknesses stemming from narrow policymaking by key ministers and top civil servants which excludes the opposition, state government, business and civil society.
“This was made worse with the suspension of the Parliament under the Emergency. First, with a narrow political base, needs and concerns are not adequately taken into account, resulting in policy blind spots, incoordination and flip-flops,” argued MCCC and DIPM.
“Second, without opposition parties sharing the political responsibility, the Government failed to impose necessary but unpopular policies or enforce them consistently.”
In this regard, MCCC and DPIM called for the setting up of parliamentary special select committees to provide legislative oversight on every ministry, and to allow multiple entry points for voices of businesses and society to be considered.
“It is equally vital to set up a Federal-State Council on National Recovery in charge of public health and economic recovery that should involve the Federal Government, Federal Opposition, State Governments as well as experts and stakeholders in the private sector and various established national chamber of commerce to improve quality and coordination of economic and pandemic policies,” suggested both chambers.
Chaired by the PM with the Opposition leader as the deputy chair alongside all 13 Menteri Besar/Chief Ministers, this would send a clear message to the market that the political stalemate is over, added MCCC and DPIM. – Aug 23, 2021
