KUALA LUMPUR – The government has yet to decide on whether it will impose another round of the movement control order (MCO), said Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
In a brief message to The Vibes, he said that reports that the government will announce a new full MCO in several states and cities facing Covid-19 spikes was “not true”.
He said the National Security Council (NSC) has yet to meet on the matter, despite the recent Covid-19 surge.
“Belum meeting pun lagi (There has not even been a meeting yet),” he said.
Ismail Sabri’s denial came in response to a local daily’s report that quoted sources as saying that the government will announce a two-week MCO in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor, and Sarawak.
The report said that the upcoming MCO, the third so far, would be similar to the one implemented in January. The first MCO was implemented in March last year, soon after the pandemic began.
The previous MCO saw economic activities being allowed to operate, while schools were closed and social and religious activities were banned.
The report claimed that dine-ins would not be allowed at restaurants and eateries.
Ismail Sabri’s remark also comes after Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that the MCO would be reviewed, especially in states showing a surge in infections.
However, sources from Muhyiddin’s party, Bersatu, have told The Vibes that the prime minister is apprehensive about imposing another lockdown.
Despite the prime minister’s reluctance, it is understood that the outcome of further government discussions on this matter remains fluid, as leaders are taking into account the risks of widespread infections throughout the upcoming festive Hari Raya Aidilfitri season.
While interstate travel remains generally prohibited, the next MCO is still being mulled to prevent the rush of city dwellers returning to their hometowns, as well as transmissions in crowded areas such as Ramadan bazaars. – The Vibes, May 2, 2021
