The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, government Members say they do not use emergency to suppress people. Emergency empowers the executive to suspend ordinary law and act under emergency regulations. If you say you will not suppress people, we accept that—but the environment of fear exists under emergency. Is emergency necessary for a cyclone? Can you show how Ditva recovery specifically required emergency, rather than a well-functioning state machinery?

¶ 02 I urge the Government to reconsider extending emergency. We have ordinary laws, courts, and officials sufficient for recovery.

¶ 03 I also raise a critical issue: economic security. We recently heard of US$ 2.5 billion missing from the Treasury and sudden bank fund losses, and overpayments by state institutions. This threatens investor confidence. If the Treasury and banks are insecure, calamity ensues. Treat economic security as seriously as national security. Hold responsible officials to account—if they hold high office, they must assume responsibility. Appoint a special task force to address these systemic lapses—this is more serious than terrorism. Without a secure economy, we cannot attract FDI. The Central Bank, which charges substantial supervisory fees, must ensure bank resilience, including on digital transfers. Focus on solutions, not blame past governments. The people elected you to fix problems and deliver real change.

¶ 04 Thank you.