‘Parliament reconvening should focus on Covid-19, not politicking’
KUCHING: The Parliament session during this Emergency period should be used for matters pertaining to dealing with the impact caused by the Covid19 pandemic and not politics, said Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) secretary-general Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
Nanta, who is federal Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumers Affairs and Kapit MP, said such session should not be used for politicking; otherwise, time and public expenses would be wasted away.
“Politicking can wait. And if it needs be, wait for the next general election where people can choose which coalition to be the next government. Election would be held and that is the time we let people decide which government they want,” he told The Borneo Post recently when reacting to the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong’s decree that Parliament could reconvene during the Emergency.
“Then up to Parliament to decide to reconvene or not. Good or not, let’s look for the need for Parliament to reconvene. If it is to carry out daily matters, that can wait. If the session is of great urgency, I don’t mind to have a session.
“But we should bear in mind that purpose of the session during Emergency should not be too political. What this means is that it should not be a venue for any group or party to further their politics, to get rid of Perikatan Nasional (PN) per se, to take over government, or to take control of the government purely for politicking and trying to become next Prime Minister (PM) or to get rid of current PM.”
“Let’s take heed of the Yang DiPertuan Agong’s advice, which is to dwell on something that is against Covid-19 and to overcome problems caused by it, especially now when we had begun on our national immunisation programme,” said Nanta, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) secretary-general.
“We should concentrate on matters of great importance, or those in direct connection with the lives and wellbeing of the people threatened by Covid-19. Let’s focus on efforts to combat the virus and the war against the pandemic,” he stressed.
Having said this, Nanta clarified that he personally subscribed to freedom of speech and the democratic principle.
“But let us be reasonable now when we are facing certain drastic and extraordinary challenges. Too much of politics will not be good for anybody at all because in the end, we may not be able to give our best concentration on efforts to combat Covid-19, or on making sure that Malaysia is safe from Covid-19,” he said.
Nanta said among the efforts to overcome challenges cause by the pandemic are for the government to grant incentives or provide initiatives on business recovery, making sure that jobs are not lost and breadwinners continue to provide for their families.
As for Sarawak, the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) term is coming to an end in June and therefore, the state election would have to be held thereafter, he reminded.
“GPS is already in a very ready mode to face the elections. My hope is that we make sure GPS is relevant and able to carry on the responsibility to further develop Sarawak, and ensure the progress and wellbeing of the people would be well taken care of, and protection of Sarawak interests would remain intact. That is just not my hope, but the reason why GPS is formed.”
“This advice is nothing new – the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, his cabinet, the presidents of GPS component parties, and all leaders at various levels, have also provided similar advice.
“It is our responsibility that GPS is properly organised and becomes more professional so that it can deliver,” he said.
“We must be able to accept and make changes. It’s not rocket science, but a very basic reasoning. Any change for the good of the people and state is a must..
“Where there are rooms for improvements, we must make sure that we carry them out,” he added.
Going forward for GPS would be the introduction of a new crop of younger professional leaders, Nanta pointed out.
“The mindset of these younger leaders can be seen from their approaches where they are more open-minded and do things with more consensus. That’s the obvious change and also what used to be useful in the state BN (Barisan Nasional) era, is being carried over on top of the new things effected by the Chief Minister,” he added.
Then up to Parliament to decide to reconvene or not. Good or not, let’s look for the need for Parliament to reconvene. If it is to carry out daily matters, that can wait. If the session is of great urgency, I don’t mind to have a session.
Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi