The former international trade and industry minister rebuked Muhyiddin Yassin for coming up with a recovery plan that did not detail how it would address issues related to the economic and education sectors, and health issues caused by the lockdown.

The plan, she said, did not touch on how Muhyiddin intended to reintegrate Malaysia into regional and global markets and economies or provide employment opportunities.

Rafidah said the prime minister did not address how he would manage losses incurred due to the “education and work shutdowns” for the last 15 months. There was a need to review the delivery of education at all stages, she added.

Muhyiddin also did not announce any tax breaks, she said.

“The government must adopt a preemptive approach in the national recovery plan based on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on all areas of society and the economy,” she said in a text message to FMT.

Putrajaya, Rafidah went on to say, must review disruptive laws and procedures, provide employment opportunities and introduce tax breaks to encourage the revival of businesses.

In a televised address, Muhyiddin said Putrajaya’s exit strategy from the Covid-19 pandemic would involve four phases, with all sectors possibly reopening in the final phase.

The first phase of the recovery plan is the ongoing lockdown, which is being implemented because the number of cases remains high.

The second phase will see tighter control of social activities and movement restrictions, with economic sectors being reopened in stages.

He said the third phase would see all economic sectors being allowed to operate except those listed as high risk.

The last stage, the prime minister said, would begin by October when the Covid-19 infection numbers were expected to drop to 500 a day and 60% of the population was fully vaccinated.

Under the last phase, Muhyiddin said the nation could return to near normalcy with all economic sectors open.