LETTER | There is no necessity for one-upmanship. There is no need to indulge in blame games. 

It is pointless to show who is less culpable to our present dire state of the nation. We should all ignore former premiers attempting to make a comeback.

Covid-19 infected and severely affected many countries. The degree of severity depends on how swift and coherent each country has taken measures to contain it.

Of course, if Malaysia has taken decisive actions earlier, the problem we face today would have been less acute. But then hindsight is always perfect.

Blaming the previous Pakatan Harapan government or blaming the present Perikatan government is quite pointless at this stage. The nation is in crisis. 

Frankly, I think the people are least in the mood to take side other than wanting to see those in charge do their jobs quickly and effectively. There are no brownie points to gain, so to speak.

If there is anything we can learn from the present crisis, it is our complacency and our favourite pass time to form conclusions out of a few facts.

Yes, we are not just complacent in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic. We are complacent in everything, with no exception other than paying salaries and allowances to all civil servants, MPs and ministers.

Covid-19 has gathered our attention. But so many other problems are lurking just waiting to demand our attention too. Water is one example.

Another water contamination and potable water supply disruption have come and gone. Despite numerous agencies involved, what cogent measures have we undertaken to prevent the next occurrence?

I shall say there is none. It will happen again very soon and the trend will continue until someday when the water problem is as severe as Covid-19.

I also know hardly anyone of substance will take seriously what I am saying. That is why I am confident what I am saying will come true someday.

Forming conclusions out of a few facts is another of our problem.

Be appreciative of what the Health director-general (Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah) is doing. But there is no need to praise him sky-high every day by all and sundry. 

Do we know all the facts? We too praised Singapore before this. But look at the numbers there now.

Instead of praising our DG every day, we should all help him by pointing out to areas where the Health Ministry may overlook. Let him do his job. Praising him too much is sometimes a distraction.    

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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