KUCHING: A political truce is crucial to ensure that the first sitting of Malaysia’s Parliament this year focuses on the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly on moving forward and the exit strategy.
Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni added that political ideologies and intentions must be put aside during the five-day special sitting.
He said the sitting provided MPs with the opportunity to weigh in opinions or pose questions on the measures undertaken in the management of the pandemic.
“The people’s wellbeing matters most. It is evident that they are tired with mental health being at an alarming low level. It is understandable that everyone is hoping for brighter days and light at the end of the tunnel.
“The parliamentary sitting is a very good platform for MPs to do their part in voicing out for the people. The people’s inputs allow MPs to have more effective voices to be heard in parliament and most of them want to know what are the best measures to handle the pandemic given the current circumstances.
“Without the people, democracy cannot take place and the country cannot run. Thus, we must remember that the focus must be on the people and their lives,” he explained.
He said this during a live talk discussion entitled “Ahead of the Opening of Parliament’s 3032 Special Sitting (Isu Bual Bicara Live: Menjelang Pembukaan Pembukaan Persidangan Khas Parlimen 2021)” at Borneo Channel’s Facebook page on Sunday (July 25).
On the National Recovery Plan (NRP), Lukanisman pointed out that Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz had said that Sarawak could succeed in moving forward into other phases and becoming a model for other states.
The MP said this was due to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s wisdom and discretion in his leadership.
“At the national level, the Finance Minister has called upon almost all MPs and parties’ representatives to be involved in discussions pertaining to the NRP and Budget 2022.
“Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin has also given assurance that the NRP council will issue a letter to presidents in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) to send professional representatives to sit for discussions on NRP.
“A political truce is needed and we must use the special sitting as a platform to focus on NRP. If focus is given on politics, it will be a pity for the people.
“When it is time for election, the people will evaluate not only from how many food baskets were distributed or which local representatives were always in the news, they will see what is being done to help them get out of this pandemic,” he said.
