BINTULU: Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the new federal Cabinet under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob needed to control the spread of the Covid-19 virus by requesting assistance and advices from the experts in China.
“Experts can get together to discuss the situation and thoroughly check domestic Covid-19 cases to get a better response in battling the virus, which is getting worse in Malaysia,” he told a press conference.
Tiong was commenting on the new Cabinet announced by the Prime Minister last Friday (August 27).
He also urged the new federal government to look into China’s experiences in dealing with the pandemic in its country with a population of 1.4 billion people.
“I believe that there are some lessons from China that Malaysia can learn from in dealing with this crisis and, more importantly, to keep the number of deaths low.
“All efforts need to focus on keeping everyone alive because we have lost so many loved ones to this deadly virus. Some have even lost their parents and children.
“We have to care for these victims that have experienced such tragic loss of their loved ones. Therefore, the federal government needs to do its best to save the lives of the people,” he added
Tiong, who is also the Prime Minister’s Special Ambassador to China, stressed the government including the Ministry of Finance should also take immediate actions to find practical solutions to help the country’s economy and progress.
He added that even though the government had distributed monetary assistance amounting RM500 and RM1,000 for the people, it was just a short-term solution to ease their burden.
“Not all in the B40 category are poor because there are some who work as civil servants and have fixed incomes.
“This assistance must be given to those who really need it and are in distress, for example, those living in hardship and working to earn just enough money to put food on the table. We need real solutions to this problem,” said Tiong.
He stressed that it was important for the government to listen and take into account the views and basic needs of the industrial sectors as well as small and medium enterprises (SMEs), manufacturers and the construction industry when formulating a framework for economic recovery and restructuring.
“Get a macro-economic plan to move the country forward but it needs to be something practical when implemented to benefit the people.
“As of now, we have a National Recovery Plan (NRP) but the public is not worried about a phase shift to get out of Covid-19. What is most important for them is whether this plan will enable them to maintain jobs, incomes and livelihoods as well as ensure the well-being of their children,” he said.
The MP urged all Cabinet ministers to go down to the ground and understand the needs and problems of the people.
“We are trying to do our best to control this epidemic in a short period of time. The health crisis must be resolved, otherwise the people will be angry with the government,” he added.
