Emergency: Minister says govt benefits from more power to manage Covid-19

 

Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has defended the government’s use of the national emergency, saying it allows Putrajaya additional powers it can use to better manage the Covid-19 pandemic.

Such powers include fining private hospitals up to RM5 million for refusing government requests.

Provided the Yang di-Pertuan Agong assents to the relevant ordinances, Ismail said the state of emergency also accords the army “the same powers” as the police.

“Many have been saying how we managed to impose the movement control order (MCO) before this. But there were many instructions we could not issue under (just) the MCO.

“Like now, the army can arrest undocumented workers. They can take direct action by arresting them and putting them in a lock-up.

“It is easier for the government to manage Covid-19 because emergency ordinances allow us to make rules that will be in force during the emergency,” the minister said during a televised press conference.

Only government-owned media were allowed to attend the press conference in person.

Elaborating, Ismail said the government will first engage private medical facilities in “discussions” before imposing any penalties.

“If they do not agree or refuse, we can use the laws to fine the hospitals up to RM5 million, if I am not mistaken. They can even be jailed if they disagree,” Ismail said.

Pressed on who would cover the costs of private hospital utilisation, the minister said employers would need to pay for migrant workers warded there. He did not state who would foot the bill for Malaysian citizens at such hospitals.

Similar penalties could be imposed if hotels refused to comply with government requests for them to be used as quarantine centres.

Employers who refuse to have their employees tested for Covid-19 could be penalised if there was an emergency ordinance on this.

“This emergency gives the government many benefits. It makes it easier for the government to manage Covid-19 better than before”, Ismail stressed.

On a separate matter, the minister cautioned against misleading news headlines.

He pointed to a recent World of Buzz article with a headline that implied all Malaysians had until Jan 15 to return to their hometowns despite the start of the MCO on Jan 13.

Interstate and interdistrict travel is banned in areas under MCO. The exception is only made for those who had already purchased bus or flight tickets ahead of time.

“Such news can confuse the public. If people believe this news (headline), they will balik kampung,” Ismail said.  - Mkini