Looking to the future: Syed Hussain, Dr Kuljit and Dr Subramaniam are looking at the people’s interests.

       Reports by ZAKIAH KOYA, MARTIN CARVALHO, CLARISSA CHUNG, REBECCA RAJAENDRAM and SANDHYA MENON

       PETALING JAYA: Ministers in the new Cabinet have one year to get their act together, says the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF).

       MEF president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said this could only be achieved if there was political stability to allow the ministers to focus on their work.

       “We hope all parties will work in unison as Keluarga Malaysia to move our country forward,” he said in a statement.

       Syed Hussain said it is crucial that those appointed focus on reviving the economy under a more stable political environment.

       “Employers are faced with increasing Covid-19 issues amid a very weak economy with business suffering and the new budget on the horizon.

       “The business community and the people are very tired and stressed out. We hope the appointed ministers will work as a team to overcome the issues,” he said.

       Malaysian Medical Association president Datuk Dr Subramaniam Muniandy said against the backdrop of the raging Covid-19 crisis, Khairy Jamaluddin has his work cut out for him as the new Health Minister.

       “His ministerial experience will stand him in good stead. We look forward to fresh and innovative ideas in managing the pandemic.

       “We hope the setting up of a health commission to steer Malaysia out of the pandemic will be top on the minister’s agenda.

       “There are also many longstanding issues such as permanent positions for contract doctors which we hope will be resolved during his term in office,” he said in a press statement.

       Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said Khairy has the advantage of having experience in a portfolio related to the health sector.

       “Our public-private partnership is ongoing, so we will work with the minister to enhance this further so that it can be strengthened,” he said.Independent health policies specialist Dr Khor Swee Kheng said while Khairy has successfully set up a good framework for the vaccination programme, a more holistic public health response is needed to tackle the pandemic.

       “He will need to focus on other elements of public health like testing, tracing, lockdowns and standard operating procedure,” he said when contacted.