KOTA KINABALU – The imposition of a third movement control order (MCO) shows that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has not made good on his promise to not have another national lockdown.
DAP’s Kota Kinabalu MP, Chan Foong Hin, in a statement yesterday said the prime minister appears to have conveniently forgotten his promise on March 17 that there would not be another blanket MCO.
The federal government’s handling of Covid-19 measures has been inconsistent, filled with about-turns, and with ministers issuing contradictory statements, he said.
“After a series of ministers who went on a ‘frolic’ of their own, issuing their own statements and having no coordination, as if the federal government is a plane on autopilot, without a pilot in the cockpit, Prime Minister Muhyiddin decides to finally show up and make the announcement he hated to make – that the dreaded MCO is back again.
“The announcement on another blanket, nationwide MCO made on the evening of May 10, to be enforced nationwide from May 12 to June 7, came without any warning whatsoever.”
Chan said the lack of leadership in the federal government became even more obvious in the past month.
“Looking at the recent mess, I can safely say it is due to the government’s inability to be decisive on whether to allow Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations. Muhyiddin originally wanted to create a rosy and good impression of the federal government through the Aidilfitri festival, regardless of the objectivity of science and data.”
The Sabah government should continue employing its own methods to manage the Covid-19 pandemic, he said, adding that state decisions ought to be made based on science and data, instead of blindly following federal orders.
He called on people to reduce their outings and social activities during Aidilfitri so that the infection index in the state does not go up. – The Vibes, May 12, 2021
