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PETALING JAYA: Kedah and Kelantan are not rushing to facilitate the movement control order (MCO) as state leaders say human life is their priority.
Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir said the state prefers to err on the side of caution.
“We understand why the Federal Government needs to impose the conditional MCO. Yes, the economy is important. We empathize with those facing financial setbacks due to the MCO.”
“But at the same time, we don’t want to see a sudden increase in the number of Covid-19 cases. Human life is our priority,” he said when we were contacted on Sunday (May 3).
Mukhriz said it was important to take into account the lessons learned by other countries where they experienced a sudden increase in the number of cases after easing movement restrictions.
“Although all of Kedah’s districts are certified green zones, we do not want to open too early and regret it later. I agree with Chief Minister (security group) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob that we have to be absolutely sure of the result.”
“We need to be convinced that the drive chain is effectively broken,” said Mukhriz.
He said the matter will be further discussed during a special meeting of the state security committee on Tuesday (May 5).
Meanwhile, Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob said they don’t want to ease the restrictions too soon, although the entire state was enjoying the green zone status.
“The well-being of rakyat is our priority,” he said.
Ahmad said the state security committee would meet on Thursday (May 7) to deliberate further on the matter after the federal government’s decision to allow the controlled MCO in a move to revive the business sector.
“Until then, the above conditions imposed during the MCO would remain applicable in the state,” he said.
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