No need for shadow Cabinet, Opposition should play a role to check and balance the Perikatan govt, says Warisan

KOTA KINABALU: There is no need for the national Opposition to form a shadow Cabinet but instead act as a check and balance to the Perikatan Nasional government, says Warisan Deputy Youth chief Ismail Ayub.

He said that it was not the time to play politics and it was important to focus on assisting the people who are faced with multiple challenges during the current Covid-19 pandemic.

Ismail said in facing the Covid-19 pandemic, it was best for the national Opposition to play the role of check and balance on the administration of the Perikatan Federal Government.

“The people's problems are not only on issues of vaccines but many have been losing jobs and businesses are closing," he said.

Ismail's statement Thursday (Jan 14) comes a day after Warisan's ally Upko president Madius Tangau called on Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to form an Opposition shadow Cabinet.

Ismail said it was important for the Opposition to play its role in pushing the government to implement policies that will help the people and not spend billions of ringgit on mega projects when the people are suffering.

Ismail said the time was right for fresh and young capable leaders to lead the country.

"It is time for the Opposition to show to the people the new government of the future is united and has a clear vision for the country," he said.

He said Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal in a recent talk show with ISEAS- Yusof Ishak Institute said that Malaysia needs a new leadership and there should be a mindset change on the old ways of handling issues.

"The time has come to change on working with the old ways, enough of Anwar, enough of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad," Ismail said, adding that the leaders had served the nation in the past and now it time to move forward.

Warisan and Upko are Pakatan-friendly but are not members of the Opposition coalition.