NAJIB Razak wryly asked about the need for the movement-control order (MCO) to continue if Covid-19 posed only “a danger” to parliament. In his Facebook posting yesterday, the Pekan Member of Parliament on trial for corruption charges stated that many economic sectors were now allowed to open but parliament was still suspended.

I could not help it but feel disgusted and agitated that such a statement could come from Bossku, a popular, experienced politician and former prime minister who, by right, should know better what best to do when handling such an unprecedented mammoth challenge!

With the number of positive cases hovering around four digits daily since last December and the increase in the number of deaths, Najib should understand that safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of the people is not a matter to be taken lightly. Seriously, it is a matter of life and death.

As of today, the cumulative death rate due to Covid-19 stood at 1,043, while the total number of positive cases at 277,811 and recoveries, 239,971.

He is acting more like the opposition parties, who only find fault and accuse the government of doing all manner of wrongs under the sky.

The Proclamation of Emergency by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong last month clearly highlighted the government’s firm commitment and seriousness in battling the pandemic to the end. Why can’t they put aside politics for the time being and help the government and people in stemming the spread of the virus?

It seems that Najib has joined the bandwagon with the likes of Anwar Ibrahim and other opposition members who are all against a state of emergency. Anwar’s leave application for judicial review relating to emergency issues will be heard in the High Court on March 4.

All these political manoeuvrings and misdeeds only point to disrespect for the decision made by the King. It only spells disaster for the rakyat and this country but praise be to Allah that the vaccine will be arriving in the next few days.

The government is doing its level best to balance between protecting lives and opening up the economy in order to sustain the livelihoods of the people.

Most politicians know this very well, but do they care? By right, the people’s well-being should be placed before anything else, but not to these politicians.

These politicians who have nothing good to say about the government’s handling of the pandemic behave well in the new normal. They should be thinking of the best possible way to assist the government to flatten the curve, not exploit the current situation at the expense of the rakyat for their political greed and motives!

Maybe our politicians have too many things on their plates, especially the opposition members. Rightfully, please think of the rakyat first. – February 19, 2021.

*Saiful Azhar Tahir reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.