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KUALA LUMPUR: While you don’t object to the loosening of the motion control order (MCO), a research consultant says the move is being taken too soon.
Universiti Malaya Academic Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Lam Sai Kit (Photo) said the number of cases has not been reduced enough for the country to consider being “out of danger”.
He urged the government to listen to the concerns expressed by the various sectors of the population and to review the conditional decision of the MCO.
“There are still too many local broadcasts: 95 local broadcasts of 105 new cases on Saturday (May 2),” he said.
“Nobody opposes the relaxation of the MCO, but the relaxation is too much and too soon,” he said in a press release on Sunday (May 3).
On Friday (May 1), Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the reopening of almost all sectors of the economy and commercial activities, including shopping malls, department stores and even restaurants, starting May 4).
However, commercial operators must adhere to new standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines.
Dr. Lam also said that the testing capacity was still not adequate compared to other countries, especially using RT-PCR recommended by Chinese health experts who exchanged information with the Ministry of Health.
He also said that Malaysia had failed to minimize hot spots and that more areas had undergone an improved MCO.
“With the relaxation of the MCO, there is the possibility of an increase in new groups and cases. Can we really cope with the increase in testing and contact tracing?
“Can we empower and involve the community to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus?” I ask.
He expressed concern that if the country faces a resurgence of cases, the MCO would have to be reinstated and what had benefited would be wasted.
Dr. Lam said that the Secretary General of the Malaysian Trade Union Congress, J. Solomon, had urged the Prime Minister to delay the implementation of the conditional MCO so that there is more time for employers, workers and consumers to adjust to the new order while the Penang President Consumer Association
Mohideen Abdul Kader said the government should adopt a soft landing approach as previously recommended by Director-General for Health Datuk Dr. Noor Hisham.
He also noted that the MCO’s relaxation had resulted in an incredible 500,000 requests to travel home from the interstate highway from May 7-10.
For the conditional MCO to be successful, it has to be well planned and not rush, he said.
Although he was aware of the economic cost involved in implementing the MCO, which had resulted in an estimated total loss of RM63bil since its implementation, Dr. Lam said that a better exit plan than the conditional MCO was needed, with a gradual opening of sectors or businesses and with an emphasis on security instead of a rapid economic recovery.
“I urge the government to listen to the concerns expressed by the various sectors of the population and to review the conditional decision of the MCO.
“In the meantime, people should continue to practice the original MCO regulations (social distancing, staying at home, washing hands and personal hygiene, working from home, avoiding crowds) and businesses that feel they are not ready to reopen due to Safety concerns for its workers and customers / clients should defer openness, “he said.
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