Last Tuesday (May 4), the government announced (among others) the imposition of a movement control order (MCO) in six districts in Selangor. These six districts surround Kuala Lumpur which is part of a federal territory that will not be subject to the MCO.
It was to be implemented at one minute past midnight on Thursday and includes a ban on outdoor activities and the closure of businesses except those offering essential services etc.
If it is not ironic, it is comical for a person staying in Taman Tun Dr Ismail in Kuala Lumpur to not be able to walk across to Damansara Utama in Petaling Jaya for shopping. Or for someone staying along Jalan Ipoh being unable to get past the demarcated boundary further up the same road to pack his favourite meal.
The scorn poured on the authorities on social media was overwhelming and overpowering. Joining in the chorus of protests were MPs Hannah Yeoh and Ong Kian Ming, whose constituents were affected by this ridiculous decision.
But Yeoh’s tweet about the predicament of residents on either side of the road was met with a witty response: “Virus to berhenti di lampu isyarat YB. Lol.” (The virus stops at the traffic lights, YB. Lol.)
Flip-Flop #1: On Thursday, they decided to include the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya for which the MCO would come into effect the following day. How and why did they miss out on Kuala Lumpur is anyone’s guess.
Meanwhile, fitness enthusiasts and the sports fraternity, especially the golfers and cricketers, claimed that they should be allowed to continue as usual because they are outdoors where it is easy to maintain social distancing in huge open spaces. They argued that they would comply with the necessary requirements – masks and social distancing.
Youth and Sports Minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican stepped on the plate saying the ministry would seek new guidelines for outdoor sports and recreation, barely 24 hours after the ban. But his deputy defended the ban.
Flip-Flop#2: The good news first - on Friday, the SOPs were revised. The ministry and the National Security Council (NSC) decided to allow non-physical sports and recreational activities so long as they are carried out in open areas and with physical distancing of at least 1.5 metres observed.
Golfers rejoiced; people could walk their dogs and carry out outdoor activities but something was already brewing.
Flip-Flop #3: Yesterday (Saturday), the parks were a hive of activity with people doing their workouts, walking around the lakes and the golf clubs were thriving with activities. The flights in the morning had completed their rounds sans the usual after game refreshments.
While the golfers who teed-off after lunch were on the course, the bad news filtered in. Late in the afternoon, a circular from the Malaysian Golf Association was sent out to golf clubs – the ban is on again. The government made another U-turn.
Within 48 hours. decisions were changed three times. It speaks of the uncertainty and manner in which issues of importance in preventing the spread of Covid-19 are handled.
Mere silent observers?
This raises a few fundamental questions: Doesn’t the government discuss issues thoroughly and then come to a decision? Isn’t there a thought process? Aren’t experts’ views sought? Or are they looking for political solutions?
Do political expediency and points-scoring supersede science and wellness? Have experts like Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah and the prime minister’s advisor Dr Jemilah Mahmood been silenced by politicians and bureaucrats and reduced to being mere silent observers?
Against all advice, the Ramadan bazaars were given the go ahead at the start of the holy month. They assured a worried public that all safety measures would be in place.
Really? The photographs and video clips that are making their rounds on social media tell a different story.
Even the mandatory requirement for customers to register via MySejahtera was not followed. Video clips showed Rela officers tasked with ensuring compliance doing nothing as customers streamed freely through the bazaars.
We have to agree that some restrictions have to be revised and relaxed to re-open and boost the economy. But surely safeguards and security measures should have been put in place and ensured to be working efficiently. But again, political expediency has surpassed the process.
Elsewhere, university students are leaving their campuses by busloads. Isn’t interstate, let alone interdistrict travel banned? But they had been given the okay by the Higher Education Ministry and the NSC.
Are we to assume that Covid-19 does not affect students and hence, they are given the go-ahead to travel?
We are almost hitting the 5,000 mark in the number of daily cases and the 500,000 mark in the total number of infections. Aren’t the powers-that-be worried that if things are not controlled, we will be joining the ranks of India and Brazil?
Health experts and the members of the medical fraternity have been banging on the table trying to draw the attention of our administrators but they are being treated as some busybodies interfering in the workings of the government.
Noor Hisham’s pleadings at his daily media conferences must be complemented with political will and determination. Let us remember that the days of “the government knows best” are over.
Exchange of knowledge between experts and corroboration between the public and private sectors cannot be more emphasised as we continue to chart our way through the quagmire of issues related to Covid-19.
Covid-19 is blind. It does not differentiate between black and white; rich and poor; titled and ordinary folk; politicians and voters.
The government must work collectively and not in silos. We have to put our heads together to do and get the best for the people. Otherwise, we are doomed on this rudderless ship that is going to take the country and its people into oblivion. - Mkini
R NADESWARAN continues watching the U-turns and the contradictory announcements with anxiety more than amusement wondering where these politicians are leading us to. Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
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