PETALING JAYA: Opposition lawmakers are open to the Prime Minister’s offer to be part of the National Recovery Council (NRC) and the Special Committee on Covid-19 but want it to be something substantial that genuinely fulfils the spirit of bipartisanship.

       DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said his party is willing to consider the chance for the Opposition leadership to be part of the bodies to save lives and livelihoods.

       The Bagan MP, however, said this is provided that the offer is not a mere token representation and rubber-stamp for the government’s views.

       “The winner cannot take all and the loser should not lose all,” he tweeted yesterday.

       Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming, also from DAP, said it will depend on the number of positions given to the various opposition parties and the roles and responsibilities in these two bodies.

       “The spirit of bipartisanship is important, but it has to be genuine from all sides,” he added.

       PKR’s Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin said the offer is a gesture towards the Opposition, describing it as a “baby step” taken by the new government.

       “We hope that it does not stop there. If we want to do more, the onus is on the government to offer us something substantial. We are ready to help the government revive the economy and fight the pandemic,” he added.

       Parti Amanah Negara’s Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the offer by the Prime Minister is in line with the wish and advice of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

       “This is what has been advocated and enjoined by the King, and Pakatan Harapan will surely look into the offer and see how we can constructively engage on this matter,” said the Kuala Selangor MP.

       He added that such an offer is also in keeping with the spirit of having a safe exit for the pandemic, reopening the economy and ensuring the most vulnerable groups remain protected during these trying times.

       Sabah’s Upko also welcomed the PM’s offer to work with the Opposition made in his inaugural address as the Prime Minister.

       In a tweet, party president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau said: “On behalf of Upko Malaysia, I welcome @IsmailSabri’s the new PM assurance to work with opposition for the sake of stability thru new politics as directed by Tuanku (King).”

       Madius, who is Tuaran MP, has been pushing for bipartisan politics since last year in an effort to overcome various issues caused by the pandemic.

       Earlier yesterday, he told reporters that he had filed a parliamentary motion for the setting up of a “Team Malaysia” comprising a federal-state council for public health and economy.

       He said he hoped that the government under Ismail Sabri will allow the motion to be debated when the Dewan Rakyat meets from Sept 6.

       Meanwhile, in a quick response, political analyst Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said the offer should be strongly and unconditionally welcomed by the Opposition.

       “At this point, we can have a ceasefire and move together as one towards a better nation.

       “This will also allow the Opposition to get their ideas translated into policy or included in the national delivery system,” he added.