Dr M: Mageran could save the country from Covid-19

PETALING JAYA: Establishing the National Operations Council (NOC) could be the solution to the country’s problem in dealing with the effects of Covid-19, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The former prime minister said this in a virtual press conference on Thursday (June 10), after returning from an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

Dr Mahathir said he suggested the formation of the NOC at his meeting with the King because the council managed to solve the country's problems before, when a proclamation of Emergency was declared in 1969 following the May 13 racial riots.

He also added the NOC could work if experts were included in the council.

“They don’t have to be politicians, but experts who are well-versed in handling subjects like handling an epidemic, for example, ” he said.

He said the King advised him that such a proposal should come from the government.

He also said that if a body like the NOC is not implemented, situations could turn dire as he said there are no proper ideas to handle problems.

Dr Mahathir also said Pejuang had in-depth discussions on how to tackle the problems the country is facing now, particularly those related to health, economy and finance, politics and social problems.

“We have ideas but being outside of the government, it will be difficult to implement them.

“Perhaps these ideas can be taken to the government to implement, but there is a difference between proposing and executing the ideas.

“Ideas can be suggested but if they cannot be acted upon, they won’t work, ” he said.

However, the interim Chairman of Parti Pejuang Tanah Air doubts the government would propose that council because they feel that their own solutions are working.

He added that he offered his services to lead the NOC but also doubted if he would be given the chance.

“But if NOC was set up, we would like to contribute, ” he said.