CMCO in Selangor, KL, Putrajaya right move, says Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR – The decision to impose the conditional movement control order (CMCO) in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya is the right move given the surge in Covid-19 cases in yellow and red zones, said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“It is the correct move by the National Security Council (NSC) to make sure, on the basis of proactive and pre-emptive action, that it can actually help curtail the Covid-19 pandemic in Selangor,” the prime minister told a press conference carried live on Facebook this evening.

Before deciding to impose the order on the whole of Selangor, he said, the government enforced targeted movement controls in Klang and Petaling.

However, infections have been on the rise in districts across the state in recent days, he said, citing the yellow zones of Gombak and Hulu Langat.

Among the directives under the CMCO is the closure of schools, affecting some 1.2 million students, parents and teachers.

Muhyiddin said the government will ensure the CMCO does not disrupt the economy.

“If the Selangor government is concerned about economic activity, it won’t be affected.

“It’s not just the industries; it’s about all economic activities, such as pasar malam, pasar minggu, malls and whatnot. They can all operate, because we understand that there must be a balance between lives and livelihood.”

He said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, too, agrees that the NSC decision is the right one.

“I hope the people of Selangor and the Federal Territories will strictly observe the SOPs that have been in place all this while.”

On claims that Putrajaya was late to order returnees from Sabah last month – when the state election was held – to undergo quarantine, Muhyiddin admitted to lapses.

However, he said, the government has taken the necessary steps to address the matter.

“We have covered all the needed areas. And, the fatalities have not spiked beyond normal.”

Early into his presser, the prime minister said he is not deliberately avoiding the press since taking office in March, but wants to focus on addressing issues facing the nation. – The Vibes, October 13, 2020