KOTA KINABALU: Former Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak said it was time for Malaysia to be free from the clutches of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Therefore, he hoped that the new Federal cabinet, which was sworn in yesterday, would help realise the dreams of millions of people in the country by focusing more on resolving the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting economic crisis.
“We have to accept the fact that we are in a deplorable situation right now (as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on the economy).
“And this new cabinet should be considered a crisis cabinet. Let us not think too far. We need to focus our efforts on overcoming Covid-19 and economic recovery,” he said.
Salleh, who is also the former Sabah Chief Minister, said this when he was the guest of a virtual Bual Bicara segment on Bernama TV in conjunction with the swearing-in ceremony of the Ministers and Deputy Federal Ministers before the King yesterday.
He also advised various quarters not to ‘play too much politics as the focus of the government now is the people’s health and the country’s economy.
“Avoid too much politics or too much publicity (as in the prevous government). In the end, there was no positive result….the people are getting bored.
‘Instead we have to implement what has been decided. In the past, there were too many spokespersons but the implementation of the SOP seemed to be ‘double standard. Some people say something is not right,”
he said.
Salleh hopes that such things will not happen again for the good of the people and the country.
He also expressed confidence that Malaysia under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob would be able to achieve herd immunity.
“This is what we want … so that we can go back to normal life as before,” he said.
He said after resolving the Covid-19 pandemic, the government should go back to the people to seek new mandate.
This is in line with the principles of democracy practised in the country, he said.
“The people will evaluate the action we take. In fact, the previous prime minister had said that after we solve the Covid-19 problem, we will hold elections,” he said.
Meanwhile, Salleh welcomed the appointment of two ministers and four deputy ministers from Sabah in the new Federal cabinet line-up.
