DESPITE rolling out policies to head off the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, Putrajaya has not done enough to meet the working class’ needs, said Anwar Ibrahim.

The government has talked a lot about “new norms”, but failed to address structural issues, said the PKR president in an Institut Darul Ehsan webinar on the state of the economy.

“The crux of the issue is the welfare of the ordinary man and woman.

“Economists, ministers and Bank Negara Malaysia failed to take this into account when deciding on policies, whether they would affect the livelihood and welfare of the common rakyat.

“On structural issues, (the government) should seize the opportunity to rebrand and change. It is about creative destruction. This is the time to do it. The new normal does not mean you make some minor adjustments but keep the old order in place.”

He reiterated calls for Parliament to convene to allow lawmakers to debate on the pandemic’s impact and the government’s economic stimulus package.

Aid for the people must be given without resorting to the “old order” of cronyism, said the Port Dickson MP.

“We need to reflect. Parliament is a major institution in this regard. There are new laws you have to introduce.

“Debate and vibrant discussion must take place. Parliamentarians must take heed of the views expressed by experts, those on the ground and civil society, so that they reflect on new ideas and are not stuck on the old norms of who gets the contract, who gets the advantages and who gets the opportunity to distribute to their cronies.”

He also took the Perikatan Nasional administration to task for its bloated cabinet and moves to appoint MPs as chairmen of government-linked companies amid the coronavirus crisis.

“You talk about a crisis… people are struggling to feed themselves, so why do you need 72 ministers (and deputies)? Why do you need, as a rule, for politicians and MPs to hold positions in GLCs?”

Anwar raised Bank Negara’s gaffes on the six-month moratorium for hire purchase loans and fixed-rate Islamic financing, and the Social Security Organisation’s initial move to not recognise Covid-19 as an occupational disease.

However, he maintained that he will work with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on new policies that benefit the people.

“I told Muhyiddin that if it serves the interests of the nation, I will support, even if it is an unpopular decision.”

Other speakers in the webinar were economists Nungsari Ahmad Radhi and Hafiz Noor Shams, as well as financial adviser Tan E Hun. – May 1, 2020.