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PETALING JAYA: Malaysians are being hounded by Covid-19, corruption and confusion, says former minister Rafidah Aziz. Labelling it as 3Cs, she said there was an absence of coherent policies and approaches to address the pandemic.

“In fact, there seems to be a strong correlation between confusing statements by those in authority and the upsurge in infections,” she said in a statement.

The former international trade and industry minister said Putrajaya’s statements and announcements change by the day, “sometimes by the next hour and some hardly make sense.”

She pointed out how placing strangers in a tourist bus seemed to be accepted but not a family of five in a sports utility vehicle (SUV).

“And to cram thousands of anxious Malaysians into mega (vaccination) centres, instead of using free premises available for the rakyat,” she said.

She also spoke on the powers given to a ministry.

“One day Miti … then not Miti.Then it is back to Miti. Why Miti?,” she asked.

The former Wanita Umno chief was referring to the government’s decision to put Miti back in charge as the one-stop coordinator for businesses to get written permission to operate during the ongoing total lockdown.

Only on May 30, the government had said that each ministry would issue letters to businesses under its purview.

She also asked if the three months salary that the ministers and deputies will be giving up for the Covid-19 fight was an actual pay cut or a deferment.

“Now, there are revelations that it is not about giving up three months’ salary. There is talk that it will be deferred and paid later. Can the government clarify this?” she asked.

Rafidah, often dubbed the Iron Lady for her no nonsense ways, also touched on corruption.

“The slogan ‘Cash is King’ seems to be the driver of decisions. It is important to remember that no one can take anything to the grave,” she said.

She said Parliament remains under “total lockdown”, preventing debates and scrutiny over public expenditure, and there has been an absence of checks and balance during the emergency since January.

Rafidah said Parliaments in developed countries continue to function with high rates of vaccination rollouts.

“In Malaysia, however, the 3Cs continue to weigh heavily on the rakyat and the nation,” she said, further asking how long the 3Cs will continue to choke the nation.

Source: FMT[url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/06/02/the-crippling-3cs-covid-corruption-confusion/][/url]