Concerns raised over ministry meetings during MCO

CORONAVIRUS | At a time when Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin himself had appealed on prime time television for all Malaysians to stay at home, concerns have been raised against several ministries that purportedly continued to hold physical meetings in Putrajaya.

A civil servant who declined to be named claimed there were "many" colleagues still made to work in the office despite the movement control order (MCO).

"There are many options for online meetings, like Skype or through the government portal, which has not been utilised," said the staff of a ministry.

It was claimed there was quite a few ministry staff present at the meetings, with little regard to the call to observe social distancing of at least one metre apart.

Further concerns were raised over possibilities of high-ranking government officials present being infected with Covid-19, given that they would have also been in other meetings outside the ministry.

Three ministries contacted by Malaysiakini for comments however described the claims as being inaccurate.

While declining to be named, sources within the three ministries explained that meetings that continue to be held were only for urgent matters.

One ministry source said a larger number of meetings have been taken online and measures were done to observe social distancing if physical meetings needed to be called.

"This (claim) is inaccurate. Meetings are mostly held online but there are important and urgent meetings that must be held face-to-face, but following social distancing procedures," said the source.

At the second ministry, another source admitted to a similar situation but revealed that any physical meetings have been limited to only five participants.

"The meetings are only for pressing matters that can't take too long to be decided on.

"So that was within the permissible standard operating procedure allowed for us," said the source.

Meanwhile, a Women and Family Ministry staff denied claims that there were meetings held after the order came into force on March 18.

"No meetings. But staff at the minister's office are working as usual as stated under the circular by the chief secretary to the government," said the staff.

"Discussions among staff in the minister's office is normal. This is to ensure that all initiatives by the ministry can be expedited," said the staff.

Muhyiddin yesterday announced that the MCO will be extended until April 14.

Under the order, all government and private premises except those classified as essential services have been ordered to close and operate from home. - Mkini