CMCO status in several states to be known today

 

Sign of the times: A billboard in Kuala Lumpur reminding people to obey the conditional movement control order to curb the spread of Covid-19. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

PUTRAJAYA: The status of the conditional movement control order imposed on several states will be made known today.

A scheduled press conference by Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday was shelved at the eleventh hour.

The public had anticipated the announcement by the Senior Minister on whether the conditional MCO would be lifted or extended.

The conditional MCO in all states except Kedah, Melaka, Terengganu and Johor will end tomorrow.

Ismail Sabri’s aide said the minister was unable to give a media conference as he had to attend back-to-back meetings.

“He attended a Cabinet meeting in the morning, followed by the National Security Council (NSC) meeting and another meeting after that.

“We have to reschedule the press conference, ” said the aide when contacted.

Cabinet meetings are held on Fridays during Parliament meetings instead of its usual slot on Wednesdays.

Ismail Sabri has been giving daily updates on non-health related matters pertaining to the Covid-19 pandemic since March.

During his media briefings, he would also announce the NSC’s decision to impose conditional or enhanced MCO in certain states or localities.

The conditional MCO for Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya has been in place for close to two months since Oct 14.

Sabah and Labuan have been placed under a similar order since Oct 13 and Oct 17, respectively.

Perak, Penang and Negri Sembilan’s conditional MCO was from Nov 9 while Kelantan’s was enforced on Nov 21.

While business communities preferred targeted MCO in selected areas, Sabahans feel that the order should be extended, with some adjustments in standard operating procedures according to zones.

Penang has asked the NSC to consider imposing the order in targeted sub-districts and specific localities instead of statewide. - Star