Are Perikatan Nasional ministers displaying laziness and lack of initiative?

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Perikatan Nasional Ministers Accused of Laziness and Lack of Initiative

Former deputy minister Hannah Yeoh has alleged that Perikatan Nasional (PN) ministers have demonstrated laziness and a lack of initiative in addressing the issues faced by Malaysians. Yeoh specifically pointed to perceived shortcomings in policy formulation and the work performance of ministers and deputy ministers within the women, family, and community development portfolio. She contended that a passive and uncaring attitude among ministers does not resolve problems but instead exacerbates public suffering.
Challenges in Stakeholder Engagement

Yeoh highlighted that operators of childcare centres (taska) and kindergartens have reportedly been unable to secure meetings with the current women minister, her deputies, or the education minister and his deputy. This lack of engagement, she argued, prevents policymakers, who should be advocating for these groups, from understanding their plights. As an illustration of the ministry's priorities, Yeoh noted that the committee on domestic violence had convened only once in the eight months since Perikatan Nasional assumed power, raising questions about the attention given to vulnerable individuals facing such issues.
Concerns Over Policy Implementation and Bureaucracy

The former deputy minister also raised concerns about the allocation of RM21 million for local social support centres, suggesting these funds could be more effectively channelled to non-governmental organisations like the Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) rather than being used for political gain. Furthermore, Yeoh criticised the women ministry's processing of childcare centre applications, stating that they are only considered if submitted by the secretaries-general of ministries overseeing government agencies. She described this as an administrative hurdle that could disadvantage essential services, such as childcare for frontliners, by prioritising bureaucracy over immediate needs.
Criticisms of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Coordination

Yeoh further criticised the government's handling of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), citing the work-from-home directive as an example of a "confusing and half-cooked" policy that created significant uncertainty for the business community. She also pointed to a lack of inter-ministerial coordination, exemplified by the conflicting SOPs for closing institutions of higher learning and kindergartens while permitting childcare centres to remain open. This perceived incoordination, Yeoh warned, could harm economic sectors more severely than the pandemic itself. Additionally, she sought an update on the national suicide registry and questioned the delay in abolishing laws that criminalise suicide attempts. Yeoh also called for a dedicated task force, involving federal and state governments, to address the persistent issue of river pollution, which she identified as a critical water source.

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Are Perikatan Nasional ministers displaying laziness and lack of initiative?

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