KUALA LUMPUR – A lockdown similar to the first movement control order (MCO 1.0) last year, with more restrictions imposed on the economic sector, would be better at addressing the Covid-19 situation.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari agreed that the curbs currently in place are not as strict as those under MCO 1.0.
He was asked if a lockdown on all sectors for several weeks is the best solution to contain the health crisis.
“I believe the maximum we can go is to implement one like MCO 1.0. What we have today is quite ‘loose’ compared with the first version.
“MCO 1.0 proved capable of reducing infections to the single or double digits after a period of three months.
“But, that is my personal opinion. This matter can be decided only by the National Security Council,” he told a virtual press conference after announcing the state’s latest stimulus package, namely the RM551.56 million Kita Selangor 2.0, which will benefit some 1.6 million people.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin late last month announced a two-week lockdown starting June 1, with restrictions to be loosened in stages.
Many Malaysians have lambasted the government over what is seen to be a “half-baked” lockdown, during which many industries and companies are allowed to operate.
Amirudin admitted that a lockdown like MCO 1.0 would be devastating to the economy, and said any decision to implement such restrictions would not come easy.
He said the decrease in Covid-19 cases in recent days is an indication that the order currently in force is working, but urged for the implementation to be extended beyond June 14.
A complete lockdown had been considered, but was deemed impractical, he said.
“Otherwise, our food supply chain, among others, will collapse. The issue is whether we have the capability to impose such a lockdown like in Wuhan, China, previously, while ensuring no one dies of hunger at home.
“Additionally, the capacity of our uniformed forces, as well as the mobilisation of volunteers, will be quite limited.”
He earlier announced Kita Selangor 2.0, comprising 25 initiatives for the state’s citizens and businesses.
Among the initiatives are:
- Food basket programme for low-income and other affected groups, with an additional RM30,000 to be given to all Pakatan Harapan MPs in the state who did not receive federal funding;
- RM1,000 for families of Covid-19 patients who died;
- RM500 special aid for the disabled;
- 1.5-month moratorium for 40,000 micro-credit borrowers;
- Further postponement of student loan repayment;
- A month’s moratorium for People’s Housing Project and Skim Smart Sewa rentals;
- RM450 one-off payment for preschool operators, and RM150 for preschool teachers;
- Subsidised internet data for the B40 group;
- RM200 million for the Selangor Advance initiative to assist small and medium enterprises;
- Agro Prihatin programme to help with the sale of agricultural products;
- RM2.55 million to assist the tourism sector; and,
- 100,000 additional free Covid-19 tests statewide. – The Vibes, June 9, 2021
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