Recovery from COVID-19 should not be measured in terms of GDP only - Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic crisis should not be measured in terms of growth or contraction of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

On the other hand, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that it should be seen holistically to lift Malaysia to emerge stronger and remain resilient.

"Is the income gap for the poor and rich in this country widening or shrinking? What is the unemployment rate among the youth?

"How successful are the businesses of small and medium enterprises (SMEs)?

"These are some of the questions that need to be looked at and examined carefully.

"But these questions should not only be aimed at economists, but rather to the politicians who are responsible in implementing policies," he said in a statement, here, on Saturday.

Commenting further, Anwar said in this context, politicians need to act together, including being involved in debate sessions in Parliament when debating bills for the future well-being of the country.

In implementing democracy, he said, it is the responsibility of every Member of Parliament to carry out their duties transparently and willing to accept criticism from the community.

"But unfortunately, today, politicians are 'hiding' from attending Parliament and making decisions behind closed doors.

"In fact, they are also disrupting the work of media practitioners and pushing the country into the dark ages," he said.