KUALA LUMPUR: The National Recovery Plan, as announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Sunday is timely and eagerly awaited, said Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
The Alliance for Safe Community Chairman said it is important to institute measures to cushion the effects of Covid-19 as soon as possible.
"The pandemic has left a devastating trail that will need a detailed, consistent, comprehensive set of plans to set the nation back on its feet and return to normalcy.
"The plans must meet the needs of people from all walks of life and involved in all economic and social activities," he said in a statement, today.
Lee said as such, it is vital that the team of experts who will be tasked with the responsibility to work out the nuts and bolts of the Recovery Plan must include experts from a wide spectrum of society.
He said this includes the public and private sectors, academics, industry players, public health experts, educators, the media, non-government organisations, relevant guilds and associations besides politicians and civil servants.
"We already have a ready pool of experts in every field and I am sure they will be willing and eager to do their bit in this direction by giving their input and ideas for a well-conceived National Recovery Plan.
"We must not forget gender representation in this recovery team. And the minorities, the Orang Asli, including the aged and the infirmed.
"We should also encourage the mainstream media to carry readers' comments and suggestions on the plan for consideration and adoption," he said.
He added that this consultation process with the stakeholders is essential as the government needs the fullest participation of all sectors to ensure the successful implementation of the plan.
"We can also take cue from other countries that have devised and implemented measures for economic and social recovery," Lee said.