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COMMENTARY There is a pandemic worldwide with over four million cases worldwide and around 276,000 deaths.
Almost all of the world’s major economies are in varying degrees of blockade. All economies are expected to contract. The United States reports 33 million unemployed. There is no vaccine or cure in sight.
Governments are now struggling to lift the blockade as a continuous blockade is not an option with so many needing financial aid and food. Companies lay off workers and many face permanent closure. No government has a clear idea of how they will protect their people and resume business at the same time. Everyone now accepts some collateral damage when the lock is lifted.
In Malaysia, a hastily assembled government struggles to manage the crisis. To be fair, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin appears to have done a reasonable job thus far. You are assisted by a director general of health who has done a brilliant job and a health service that is probably one of the best in the region. In general, the health service, the police, the armed forces, the Ministry of Finance and the central bank have done creditable work.
The spirit of volunteering and charity has been moving. Thousands of volunteers stepped up with donations, gifts and their time to feed as many families as they could and also to provide members of the front with protective clothing and masks.
They came from all races and all religious groups. The work of PSM (Parti Sosialis Malaysia) was exemplary. They supported the people even though they did not have a single person in parliament. All politicians should learn from them.
But how are things going on the political front?
Bersatu leads that coalition with Muhyiddin as prime minister and with cabinet-dominated Bersatu members, but Umno and PAS are strong members of that coalition. The two sides are pressing for a bigger role in government …
