KUALA LUMPUR – The government can no longer be selective about which businesses can operate during the movement control order (MCO), said Umno Youth chief Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
Describing the current MCO as “half-baked”, Asyraf said large factories are currently allowed to operate although they are the biggest contributors of Covid-19 cases, while small businesses are pressured to suspend operations.
Asyraf said all businesses, except essential services, should be closed throughout the duration of the lockdown.
“It is better to suffer for a short period, including shutting down the economic sector, which is the main contributor to the spread of the pandemic.
“Concerns of the economy being affected under total lockdown has basis, but the need to tackle the pandemic is more pressing.
“There are times we cannot depend on achieving two things at the same time,” he said in a Facebook post today.
Asyraf said it is more important to prioritise flattening the curve until it is at a controllable level rather than impose a “half-baked” MCO that could hampers efforts to restore the economy in the long term.
He added that the government should use its powers under the emergency ordinance to urge financial and banking institutions to provide a moratorium for at least three months to help ease the people’s burden.
He added there should not be any more double-standards in the enforcement and compliance of standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“Cases during previous lockdowns have created a perception that action will be taken on someone depending on their social class, instead of the offence.” – The Vibes, May 20, 2021
No ‘half-baked’ MCO, go into full lockdown, Asyraf tells govt
Umno Youth chief says it makes no sense for factories to operate if they contribute most to Covid-19 numbers
Updated 5 years ago · Published on 20 May 2021 3:44PM
