WE know how other nations are reacting in banning travellers from China. I see this matter as geopolitical in nature.
The way the government is handling it is very much influenced by domestic politics and the relationship between the two nations, especially after what happened with India, and then with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) regarding the KL Summit 2019.
At all levels, be it government-to-government (G2G), business-to-business (B2B) or community-to-community (C2C), representatives from both sides must quickly find a way to fix the problem.
Above all, the relevant authorities, including the Home Ministry, Immigration Department, National Registration Department and Tourism Malaysia, should address the issues of the current situation with their counterparts in China.
Concurrently, I will invite my associates — especially Alan Hoo, president of the One Belt One Road Southeast Asia NGO Alliance and Professor Datuk Dr Awang Sariyan, who was once the Holder of the Chair of the Malay Studies at the Beijing University — to initiate B2B and C2C discussions respectively, between representatives from the two nations.
For now, all three groups of stakeholders shall focus on missing tourists, illegal issuance of Malaysian MyKad, illegal business activities in Malaysia, re-emergence of CPM ideology, outbreak of coronavirus, and other relevant issues.
For B2B and C2C stakeholder discussions, Majlis Perundangan Melayu shall initiate them as soon as possible.
As for G2G, we shall leave it to the government to get the ball rolling. But nevertheless, if the respective agencies were to ignore it or are slow in taking action, we shall follow up with them. If need be, it may even lead us to take necessary action against them. But, for now, I sincerely request those who are keen to be part of this initiative to come forward and join us.
DATUK DR HASAN MAD
Secretary-general, Majlis
Perundingan Melayu