KUALA LUMPUR – With just a day remaining before the end of the current lockdown and an impending extension on the horizon, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz has given the government a stinging rebuke over its last-minute announcement.
The former minister in a Facebook post today lamented how this could be at the expense of Malaysians and, in particular, businesses that are already reeling from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Please do not announce lockdowns at the last hour, especially when there is already an earlier end date.
“Many, especially small and medium enterprises, own account workers and businesses, in general, would have made plans to make new investments, begin operations, hiring anew, even.”
Her statement follows an earlier remark by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin that the nationwide movement control order will not be ending tomorrow as scheduled.
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is expected to issue an official statement on the lockdown extension later this evening, on the eve of its cessation.
Muhyiddin said a more comprehensive aid package will be announced by Tuesday, including on the likely expansion of a loan moratorium.
Rafidah, who is known as the “Iron Lady”, said any measure introduced by the government has to be logical and backed with meaningful analysis.
She said, among others, micro enterprises and entrepreneurs who are hard-pressed by the Covid-19 pandemic need more than just cash handouts to sustain over the long term.
She proposed a special policy be drawn to allow these businesses to operate during the pandemic, while ensuring no climb in Covid-19 cases.
“Set aside proper areas for them to operate and segregate (them) as per standard operating procedure (SOPs), by the type of business, like food, attire and fresh items. Ensure SOPs are enforced on both vendors and customers.
“Give them (businesses) special free permits to do business. Identify which categories of businesses can be allowed to operate, with well-enforced safety and security parameters. Restaurants can do takeaways and deliveries, these small businesses cannot.”
Rafidah urged the government to immediately lift the emergency order and reconvene Parliament to allow the people to feel a sense of normalcy.
She called on better approaches between federal and state governments, and coordination of policies to ensure coherence in managing the pandemic.
“After all, except in Putrajaya and the Federal Territories, all economic activities are at the state and district levels.
“It is very important that endless politicking and incoherent policy measures do not kill the nation more than Covid-19.” – The Vibes, June 27, 2021
