Nanta: Parliament reconvening should focus on dealing with Covid-19 impact, not politicking

Alexander Nanta Linggi. – Bernama file photo

KUCHING (Mar 1): Parliament session during this Emergency period should be used for matters in dealing with the impact caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and not politics, said Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) secretary-general Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

Nanta, who is also Minister for Domestic Trade and Consumers Affairs and Kapit MP, said it should not be used for politicking otherwise time and public expenses would be wasted.

“Politicking can wait. And if need 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 can reconvene during this 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 Di-Pertuan 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. Lets focus on efforts to combat the virus and the war against the pandemic,” he stressed.

Having said that, Nanta clarified that he personally subscribed to freedom of speech and 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 the pandemic,” 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 had 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 is able to carry on the responsibility to further develop Sarawak and ensure the progress and wellbeing of the people are taken care of well and, protection of Sarawak interests remain intact. That is just not my hope but the reason why GPS is formed.”

“We have to remain relevant to the state and people. This advice is nothing new as Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, his cabinet, president of GPS component parties and all leaders at various levels also has provided similar advice.”

“It is our responsibility that GPS is properly organised and more professional so that it can deliver,” he said.

“We must be able to accept and make changes. Its not rocket science reasoning but very basic. Change for good of the people and state is a must,” he said.

“Where there are rooms for improvements we must make sure that we carry them out,” he added.

Going forward for GPS is the introduction of a new crop of younger professional leaders, he 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,” he added.

“That is the obvious change and also what used to be useful in the State BN era is being carried over on top of the new things effected by the Chief Minister,” he said.

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from Borneo Post Online https://bit.ly/2Myz6Sa
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