Scrapping NRC will hamper recovery efforts, says council member

Hartini says post-pandemic recovery efforts are expected to take up to 10 years and no single sector or organisation can handle the task. – BERNAMApic

KUALA LUMPUR: Disbanding the National Recovery Council (NRC) will be a setback to efforts to revive the economy, says council member Datuk Dr Hartini Zainuddin.

She said the NRC had played its part by putting forward proposals and complementing government initiatives.

"We have made suggestions when the borders should open, we are looking at tourism, the economy and many other things,” she told a press conference here on Saturday (Oct 1).

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Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had earlier called for the NRC to be abolished, saying that its functions were unclear and unnecessary.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno president, said NRC's functions overlapped with the role of think-tanks and some government agencies.

Hartini, however, said efforts to restore the country in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic are expected to take up to 10 years and could prove difficult if carried out by a single body, regardless of whether it is a political party, sector, or organisation.

Hartini, a child activist who co-founded the Yayasan Chow Kit child crisis centre, said welfare issues must be given prominence, especially since many people affected by the pandemic and rising costs were struggling.

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"Following recommendations the NRC made last year, two foundations collaborated to provide emergency food aid to the needy with the help of four non-governmental organisations, including the Malaysian Red Crescent Society.

"For the first phase, we have provided 7,600 households with food and there are a further 8,000 households to (receive help by) the end of October.

"So, that will be about 15,000 households to be given food supply from the allocations received, but it is still not enough,” she said.

Hartini said she will present more proposals to strengthen social security initiatives and look after the welfare of the vulnerable at the next NRC meeting expected to be held this month.

In addition, she will also focus on proposals to provide more food aid and protection for children, as well as mental safety, which is seen as important in the ongoing transition to the endemic phase. – Bernama