We will not bring back MCO, says PM

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today dismissed rumours on social media, reiterating that the government will not re-implement the Movement Control Order (MCO) to control the spread of Covid-19.

In his speech at the 'Majlis Amanat Perdana Menteri' with the his staff, he, however, said the government was still cautious about completely reopening national borders especially to people from other countries which are still battling the coronavirus.

"I am aware there are rumours circulating in social media suggesting that people will not be able to return to their hometown for the Hari Raya celebrations and that businesses will be ordered to close.

"This is why I announced that we will remain open and that we will not close. In fact, I had announced two days ago that the government will not bring back the MCO and that restrictions on movement between states or between districts are things in the past.

"Since the majority of the population have completed at least two doses of the (primary) vaccination and also received their Covid-19 booster jabs, there is no need for the government to close the economic sector and restrict the movement of people (to keep the situation under control against Covid-19)," said Ismail Sabri, adding that the government's main focus was not only to control the spread of Covid-19 but also post pandemic economic recovery.

On the reopening of the country's borders, he said the government remained cautious on the matter since there are countries which are still registering high number of daily Covid-19 cases.

Malaysia, he said, had started implementing the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) with Singapore and was planning to do the same with Indonesia and Thailand.

"I had gone to Indonesia to start the VTL between Malaysia and Indonesia. I was also supposed to visit Thailand for the VTL between Malaysia and Thailand. However, due to the surge in cases in other countries, overseas trips have been postponed," he said.

Ismail Sabri also said Malaysia is considering emulating other countries to ease the standard operating procedures (SOP) for foreign tourists.

"We may consider doing the same since completing primary vaccinations coupled with booster shot should be enough (to control the spread of the virus). However, this will depend on the approval from the Health Ministry.

"If we are still rigid (in the implementation of Covid-19 prevention SOPs), it will affect the tourism industry in the country." he said.

In his speech at the 'Majlis Amanat Perdana Menteri' with the his staff, he, however, said the government was still cautious about completely reopening national borders especially to people from other countries which are still battling the coronavirus. - BERNAMA Pic