Covid-19: Better communications needed

As we all know, the government has put in place the movement control order (MCO).

The MCO was first announced by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday, March 16. In his speech, the PM said that the MCO would be, among others, a prohibition on movement and assembly of masses all over the country, including religious, sports, social and cultural activities.

The speech, however, did not provide clear details of the MCO. There was, therefore, confusion regarding it. For example, nothing in the initial speech made clear about movements outside of one’s home, such as exercise and visits to parents and family members. There was no outright statement telling people not to go out without reason.

In fact, a day before that there were already rumours of a lockdown, when the number of new coronavirus cases shot up on Sunday. Many reported incidents of panic buying on Monday, and this was further compounded by the health minister and the prime minister, both stating that a "major announcement" was scheduled that night. This fuelled further panic buying by the masses.

The lack of details from the first MCO announcement meant that many thought that although shops and offices would be closed, they could still venture outside. They could still partake in activities such as jogging or visiting loved ones, or even go back to their hometowns.

Late on Tuesday morning, the National Security Council issued a statement that students in public and private institutions must return home. There were also public universities that issued circulars to that effect. Many students then made plans to return to their hometowns. It was only later that the Higher Education Ministry issued a statement that students should be given the option to stay on campus.

By that time, there was again no clear direction from the government that people should stay put where they are, and that they should not return to their hometown.

On Tuesday evening, the inspector-general of police held a press conference and informed the public that police permission was needed for interstate travel, and those intending to do so must fill up a form at the nearest police station.

Thus, by the end of that day, we saw chaotic scenes in bus terminals, and also police stations, of people trying to return home before the MCO was enforced, or trying to obtain permission to travel across state borders. Due to overwhelming crowds because of the latter, by late night the IGP had rescinded the prohibition on interstate travel temporarily. No social distancing was practised in these chaotic times.

Until the MCO came into force at midnight of March 18, there were no clear details of what it would entail. It was only in the morning of the first day that the regulations pursuant to the MCO were published. Only then it was made clear that moving outside of one’s home was not allowed unless for one of the specified reasons. No jogging, no visiting parents and certainly no going back to one’s hometown.

Later on the first night, the prime minister again gave a national televised address with one clear message – “just stay at home”.

Finally, we had some clarity from the government.

Yes, there are those who are stubborn and have deliberately flouted the regulations. But there are many who have not complied because they are unclear of the regulations, at least in the initial stages. The insistence that the MCO is "not a lockdown" did not help matters either.

In times of crisis, clear communication from the government is vital. The omnishambles of last Monday and Tuesday could have been avoided with better communications.

The government must do better in the coming days. 

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SYAHREDZAN JOHAN is a civil liberties lawyer and political secretary to Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang. - Mkini