These past few months have been a game-changer for many nations around the world. Covid-19, as we all know, has brought countries to their knees and Malaysia was not spared. Lockdowns imposed by nations have disrupted global flows of trade and investment, on top of changing the way societies live and interact. Interestingly, what’s unique about Covid-19 is that it has levelled the playing field for nations, neither wealth nor power can influence how severe a country is infected. Previously, we lived in a global order dominated by larger nations, and smaller nations always had to accommodate to their interests and priorities. But as we know, Covid-19 does not discriminate and affects everyone in its path.
My own personal belief is countries like Malaysia must remain strong and independent in this new global landscape. We have weathered through the storm and shown that with our strong conviction, we have successfully managed to keep infections at bay. But it is important to remember, we have not won the war against Covid-19, neither have we lost the war yet. We still need the collective strength of each and every one of you to break the chain of transmission.