Tighter rules, no emergency

PUTRAJAYA: The public can be rest assured that the impending move to further tighten the movement control order (MCO) will not involve the declaration of a state of emergency.

“I will announce the new standard operating procedure or enhanced MCO, once we have worked out the details and how it effects the people.

“I stress that it is not a full lockdown or darurat (emergency), ” said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said stricter regulations for the MCO will only be announced once the National Security Council (NSC) has finalised the details, adding that the NSC is in talks with the relevant ministries over the matter.

He reminded the public not to be influenced by fake news on lockdowns or state of emergency as it can lead to chaos and panic buying.

“We are considering several measures as part of the stricter regulations, including limiting operation hours for shops and supermarkets.

“When such things are proposed, discussions with the relevant ministries must be done.

“For example, for factory operations, we have to discuss thoroughly with the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) before anything is decided, ” he added.

On Thursday, Ismail Sabri announced that the NSC was drafting a new standard operating procedure.

He had indicated that the new regulations may involve the people’s movements when it comes to shopping and going out to buy food.

Under the ongoing phase one, he said people were still allowed to move around albeit with some restrictions.

“The National Security Council has been asked to draft a new standard operating procedure for phase two of the order where the rules and regulations will be more stringent than what are in place now, ” he said.

“So maybe after this, there will be more restrictions imposed, ” he had said.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced on Wednesday the two-week extension of the MCO until April 14.

The first phase of the 14-day MCO is from March 18 to 31. - Star