Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the Perikatan Nasional government appeared more concerned about "tauke" (business bosses) than regular citizens amid its reluctance to improve tough curbs under the third movement control order (MCO 3.0).
"The people's perception is that (the government) is too concerned about not offending big tauke and capitalists, who focus on maximising profits, instead of the rakyat," he said in a statement today.
The Nasional Security Council (NSC) had yesterday met on imposing a stricter form of MCO.
The government is expected to announce stricter measures this evening but it is not likely to amount to a widespread economic shutdown similar to the first MCO last year.
The government had offered various cash aids during the first MCO but three MCO laters, it is short on money to provide another wide-ranging aid package.
The aid packages are necessary in the event of an economic shutdown as many people, particularly vulnerable groups, cannot make a living to support themselves during such a time.
Asyraf blasted the repeated "open and close" MCO and the lack of aid in the subsequent MCOs.
He added that saving lives should supersede economic interests.
"Lives are more important than the economy. Save lives, save the economy.
"It would be best for us to manage Covid-19 until it is brought to a minimal level instead of continuous 'half-baked MCO' which has made it much harder for a long-term economic recovery," he said.
Covid-19 cases have seen multiple resurgences after the government prematurely lifted the MCO.
It is now seeing the worst resurgence yet with daily cases reaching up to 6,000 a day.
MCO 3.0 has allowed most economic sectors to continue operating. - Mkini
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