- nabalunews
KING'S CALL TO END EMERGENCY - A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
17 June 2021
The call by the King and his fellow rulers to end the Emergency and resume Parliament as soon as possible is appropriate and a step in the right direction. It does not come as a surprise as our nation is committed to the Federal Constitution, the Rukun Negara and the system of parliamentary democracy.
Although the emergency was promulgated five months ago as a means to concentrate all energies and resources to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, it has also denied the peoples’ elected representatives from performing their bounded duties.
As they look forward to resuming their roles as the people’s representatives, they must be aware of the fact that they will be subjected to even closer scrutiny than before by the rakyat.
The rakyat does not wish to see elected representatives being denied their roles. At a time when the nation is facing a serious public health crisis, the people want their representatives to be focused on addressing the pandemic, mass immunisation and saving lives, not to win political or brownie points. There will be time enough for that, and more, at the next hustings in two years’ time or earlier.
Right now, the urgent need is for all to put their noses to the grindstone and steer the nation out of its prolonged battle against the dreaded virus.
The Government has announced its National Recovery Plan but its nuts and bolts are yet to be determined or announced. All MPs should now concentrate on how they can enhance the Plan and offer their views and suggestions needed for its successful implementation.
This is also the time for MPs to convey the real needs and aspirations of their constituents facing the effects of the pandemic and to offer solutions for the consideration of the Government.
What they want is action and solution for the needs of their constituents. They are facing problems like never before. This calls for all hands to be on deck.
And, as the saying goes, this is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the Nation and the people who are suffering due to the pandemic.
Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye,
Trustee, National Unity Foundation
