COMMENT | The advice from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah to the cabinet that Parliament should be convened, despite the proclamation of emergency, had gone unheeded.

Istana Negara stated on Feb 24 that there was no reason why Parliament could not be sitting, subject to the executive requesting the summoning of Parliament.

There is wisdom in that advice. Unfortunately, the government did not act on this advice. The cabinet is facing complex challenges in dealing with Covid-19, and it is not coping.

The cases are increasing at a rate worse than in the United States (relative to the population), the number of deaths is rising, and facilities at the hospitals are bursting at the seams. Vaccines are not available in sufficient quantity because of politics (or for whatever reason) and yet this government does not see the need to change course.

Why is reconvening Parliament and the State Legislative Assemblies will make a difference? It is obvious. Only when both legislatures at state and federal levels are functioning will the people know who is actually in charge and if they are doing the right thing. Our leaders will be exposed, and from that exposure, we will find a way out of this morass. In a transparent environment, incompetent and shoddy leaders will be exposed.

There are many aspects to this complex problem, and it is necessary for the government to accept that it needs help from other quarters, especially at the state level. But help will not be forthcoming unless...