Don’t just push Covid policies, allow states to come up with own SOPs - Ramasamy

CORONAVIRUS | Penang deputy chief minister (II) P Ramasamy has called on the federal government to allow state and local governments to devise some of its own standard operating procedures (SOPs) to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

“Central or national governments cannot push policy measures down the throats of the state and provincial governments,” he said in a statement.

This was necessary to ensure the states and local authorities would be more effective in flattening the Covid-19 epidemic curve, he said.

“Containing the spread of Covid-19 pandemic must be a democratic exercise in engagement, consultation and discussion between different levels of governmental authority.

“Unlike other circumstances that require a top-down approach, flattening the Covid curve is different. While national governments can come with broad policy measures and statements, implementation requires consultation and sharing of information.

“(If) State and local governments are to be effective, (they) must come out with their own SOPs in containing the spread of the virus,” he added.

As such, Ramasamy said it was “immature” of senior minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to call on the state government to adhere to federal regulations set for the recovery movement control order (MCO) which will come into effect on June 10.

“This is childish or immature as the Penang government did not refuse to adhere to the recovery MCO but merely stated that the implementation of the recovery MCO would be assisted by the provision of new SOPS.

"Most importantly, states like Penang have never refused to adhere to the directives of the federal government but sought to modify and strengthen the SOPs,” he claimed.

He was referring to comments made by the defence minister during his daily briefing in Putrajaya today in response to Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow who yesterday said the state government would hold a security council meeting to study decisions related to the recovery MCO.

Ismail said only the federal government and Sarawak have laws pertaining to the control of infectious diseases.

"Other states don't have and they cannot create their own regulations as it will be void. So they have no choice but to obey the recovery MCO,” he said, referring to the national Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 or Act 342.

For the record, Chow had subsequently issued another statement yesterday that Penang government would implement the recovery MCO and that the strategy is in line with efforts to strike a balance between public health and livelihood.

Chow further stated that a special meeting to go through the implementation of the recovery MCO in the state would be held tomorrow (June 9).

Malaysia had been under a partial lockdown, called the MCO, since March 18 in efforts to mitigate the Covid-19 health crisis. This was modified to the conditional MCO in May, which allowed for most businesses and social activities to resume.

Putrajaya will further ease regulations under the recovery MCO which is slated to begin on Wednesday. - Mkini