SETAHUN Malaysia Prihatin which marks the one-year anniversary of the formation of the Perikatan Nasional government has succeeded in more ways than expected despite difficult, challenging times.

Among its milestones include managing the Covid-19 pandemic while finding a delicate balance between lives and livelihoods and enforcement of justice, which prove its capabilities in steering the country in the face of the global health and economic crises.

From the health aspect, the government via the relevant ministries, has embarked on the year-long national Covid-19 immunisation programme with the goal of vaccinating close to 80% of the population to achieve herd immunity.

It is quite encouraging and heartening to see that as of March 3, more than 1.7 million people have already registered to receive the vaccine on the MySejahtera app although the number is still far from the government’s target of 28 million people.

Hopefully, Malaysians, especially those of high-risk group, would not hesitate to sign up for their own health and safety.

The government has introduced five economic stimulus packages worth more than RM300 billion, excluding the RM322.5 billion of Budget 2021, said to be the largest in the country’s history. All these aids and measures, with endless assistance for the vulnerable groups and the poor and businesses, are part of the PN government’s milestones.

The difficulties faced by the rakyat are never ignored nor neglected, with the implementation of the i-Lestari and i-Sinar initiatives, among others. To make it easier for more members of the Employees’ Provident Fund to make the withdrawals from the i-Sinar facility, all criteria have been abolished. 

Millions of EPF members have already benefitted from the withdrawals.

In driving the development of Malaysian digital framework for socio-economic progress and inclusiveness of all Malaysians, the government recently launched the 5G network plan through MyDigital. 

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has made it clear that Malaysia must not be left behind when the whole world is rapidly adopting technology to create new opportunities for future growth.

As a leader of Islamic finance, Malaysia’s sukuk prihatin, a Malaysian digital sukuk worth RM666 million launched last year, has won the overall best transaction at the Islamic Finance News 2020 award. It also won the most innovative transactions and best transactions Malaysia award.

Since taking over the helm of the country on March 1 last year, Muhyiddin has proven that the judiciary and justice would never be compromised while the rule of law be upheld.

This can be seen in the number of high-profile cases which have taken place in courts. Individuals involved in cases continue to be prosecuted in court.

For instance, the 1MDB scandal involving former prime minister Najib Razak and corruption cases involving several Umno leaders.

The government has been aggressive in its efforts to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the people while protecting the economy. 

The proclamation of the emergency, of example, is one a timely move, adopted to fight the pandemic. – March 5, 2021.

* Farid Mohd Dollah 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.