Fairer to implement NRP on state-by-state basis: Tengku Zafrul

KUALA LUMPUR – Implementing the National Recovery Plan (NRP) in phases at the state level is fairer as it allows for an earlier transition for states that have managed to reduce the number of cases significantly as well as achieve the thresholds outlined.

Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said the NRP, implemented since early June, has shown positive developments in states such as Perlis, Kelantan, Perak, Pahang and Terengganu that have achieved the thresholds for entering Phase 2 on Monday.

“We should reward those who are able to meet the thresholds and continue to motivate other states to achieve the targets set for their respective states,” Tengku Zafrul, who is also NRP coordinating minister, said in a joint press conference with Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today.

Introducing the state-level phases will be an upgrade to the NRP announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on June 15.

Tengku Zafrul said one month after the imposition of the current movement control order, the five states have recorded a decline of between 6.1% and 12.2% in daily cases per 100,000 population, an increase in capacity of intensive care unit (ICU) wards with a return to moderate level from critical level, and vaccination rates of between 10 and 40% for the adult population.

“With this development, it has been proposed that the government provide each state the autonomy, incentives and hope to work jointly to break the Covid-19 chain, increase (the rate of) vaccination and move on from Phase 1 and the subsequent phases,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tengku Zafrul said although the increased vaccination rate and healthcare capacity showed that the infection rate is more manageable, it is still at a worrying level as the nation’s daily cases have not decreased.

“From analysis, the Klang Valley accounts for between 40 and 50% of daily cases reported since April, while most other states have recorded a reduction in cases since the start of Phase 1 on June 1.

“Kelantan and Terengganu have shown a more than 80% reduction since June 1. It shows that the movement control in phases has had a positive impact.

“In this regard, it is appropriate to consider the phase transition at the state level, especially for states that have achieved a reduction in cases as well as having their public health systems at a positive level,” he added. – Bernama, July 3, 2021