'Confusing instructions' - Amanah Youth asks what PM and ministers doing

CORONAVIRUS | Amanah's youth wing is wondering what Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and his ministers are doing, following confusing instructions as well as u-turns made in relation to the Covid-19 outbreak.

“The country is facing such a huge crisis, yet the government seems to have lost its direction,” said Amanah Youth vice-chief Shazni Munir Mohd Ithnin (above) in a statement today.

“Ministers as well as deputy ministers seem to be moving and taking action so slowly, like that of a snail’s pace, maybe even slower than that.

“So don’t be angry if people start asking, what are Muhyiddin and his ministers doing right now?”

Shazni took note how Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador had rescinded a rule requiring the public to notify the police if they wish to travel inter-state during the movement control order period, which has come into effect today.

Hamid had said he did so after large crowds began gathering from last night at police stations across the country.

Shazni also pointed out how all public and private universities had asked all students to return home, only for Higher Education Minister Noraini Ahmad to then clarify that students had the option to stay on campus.

“And while the chief secretary to the government has responded saying that pro-Pakatan Harapan menteri besar and chief ministers were not invited to a meeting to coordinate efforts to combat Covid-19 with the prime minister yesterday, we still do not know whether there has been thorough coordination done at every ministry and the role of all ministers in handling this.”

The prime minister’s order was well-received and hailed as decisive action on social media, but it lacked details and its implementation quickly unravelled in the 24 hours after the announcement.

The lack of clear communication had led to more and even larger unintended gatherings - conditions that are suitable for the potential spread of Covid-19.

The National Security Council (NSC) only issued a "Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)" to clarify Muhyiddin's speech 14 hours later, on Tuesday at 2.10pm. And that was the first of three different versions of FAQ issued throughout the day.

An update was issued at 4.10pm and another at 7.30pm. While some updates were understandably to provide clarification, others were complete reversals or change of positions from earlier versions.

The most controversial part of the NSC FAQ was the 17th question, where it asked all public and private university students to return home in the first version, only to say they have an option to stay on campus in the third version.

That had serious implications, as students had vacated their dormitories and headed to bus stations to return to their hometowns. By the time NSC changed its instruction at 7.30pm, it was too late.

Crowded scenes were seen at bus stations, particularly at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in Bandar Tasik Selatan, Kuala Lumpur. - Mkini