Saifuddin on ‘new norms’ awareness campaign tomorrow

KUALA LUMPUR: IT is imperative for the people to remain steadfast in embracing new norms in everyday life as the war against the deadly Covid-19 virus is far from over.

This will be the key message emphasised by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at the launch of the “Pembudayaan Norma Baharu” (Embracing New Norms) campaign in Pagoh, Johor tomorrow.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said the campaign involved a soft approach undertaken by various ministries, government departments and agencies as well as the private sector to continue reminding the people not to become complacent.

This is to prevent the pandemic from escalating in the country.

“The rakyat, frontliners, private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGO) together with the government have worked hard in the battle against Covid-19.

“We have done all that is possible in terms of the health, safety and economic aspects and this has resulted in Malaysia being recognised as among the most successful nations in controlling and managing the outbreak.

“Although we are grateful for the recognition, we must be aware that cases can increase if we let our guard down. The virus is still out there.

“That is why the government is launching this campaign to increase awareness and empower the rakyat to protect themselves, their families and society from Covid-19,” said Saifuddin in an interview.

Apart from a special address from the prime minister, Saifuddin said the ceremony would feature the launch of the Pembudayaan Norma Baharu Komuniti (Embracing New Norms in the Community) guidebook published by the Health Ministry.

The book, said Saifuddin, would be in Bahasa Malaysia as well as English, Mandarin, Tamil, Iban and Kadazan.

He said the book would also be available digitally via the electronic book or e-book platform.

“You can expect matters involving the importance of taking care of cleanliness and the way to relay the message to neighbours and friends to be included in the book.

“It is basically how to go about doing things as normal as possible but with caution,” he said.

Other highlights of the campaign launch include the unveiling of the logo for the campaign, which will continue until the end of the year, by the prime minister.

The ministry, he said, received a total of 2,150 logos from 1,137 entries since the Best Logos and Taglines competition for the campaign was launched in July.

“There was a 31-year-old woman from Kedah who submitted 127 logos for the competition. A 13-year-old boy who submitted two entries is the youngest participant in the competition,” said Saifuddin.

The three winners of the competition, he said, would receive RM5,000, RM3,000 and RM1,000 cash prizes, respectively, that would be presented by the prime minister during the campaign launch.

“This matter is not about compliance with laws and regulations which are in place (throughout the Recovery Movement Control Order) but it is more about embracing the new normal to protect our loved ones, our family and society.

“Frontliners have fought hard and made major contributions to curb the spread of the virus.

“It is now our turn to help the frontliners break the transmission chain of the virus,” he said.

Below are excerpts from the interview.

Question: What are the pro- grammes and activities planned throughout the campaign period?

Answer: The programmes and promotions for the campaign will be carried out through various methods, including posters and billboards as well as public service announcements on television and radio.

At the same time, the various ministries, government departments and agencies will organise programme and activities for their respective target groups.

Among the target groups are the rural community, preschoolers, students in schools and higher learning institutions, NGOs, youth as well as the sports and tourism communities.

I hope the lead agencies responsible for organising the programmes will be creative to ensure the campaign message is relayed effectively to their respective target groups.

Q: Did the campaign come about due to the people’s complacency in following the standard operating procedures?

A: Initially, the efforts introduced by the government produced results. However, about two weeks ago, we noticed the number of new infections starting to increase.

We do not want to revert to the Movement Control Order at a time when economic activities are being revived.

However, we must not allow the number of new cases to spike. We also should not rely solely on our frontliners.

We must come together and be cohesive in our efforts to break the transmission chain of the virus.

That is why the campaign seeks to empower community leaders and enable them to do their part in curbing the spread of the virus.

Q: How is the private sector helping in the campaign, especially in efforts to reach out to people of various races?

A: We really need to be creative in trying to impart and disseminate the message.

You cannot expect, for example, for the message to be only on physical distancing.

Although it has become a very important mantra, I think we have to go beyond that. And we would like to welcome all kinds of initiatives and ideas.

Q: Is this campaign a soft approach by the government to encourage the people to embrace the new normal in their daily lives?

A: Yes, we are adopting a soft approach. The government respects the maturity shown by the people who understand their responsibility and the seriousness of the pandemic.

The campaign is a call for Malaysians to interpret themselves and identify the role they can play in disseminating and sharing information with fellow Malaysians in their own way.

Malaysians are mature enough to understand the importance of the campaign.

Q: Will the number of programmes and activities organised under this campaign depend on the Covid-19 zone category of the respective locations?

A: The activities and programmes will be organised throughout (the country).

The prime minister, on previous occasions, has reminded us not to be complacent.

If we are living in an area categorised as a (Covid-19) green zone, it does not mean we should let our guard down.

I can still recall the conversation I had with the armed forces chief (General Tan Sri Affendi Buang).

He told me that the battle against Covid-19 is different from other types of conventional or chemical warfare.

Hence, we must continue embracing new norms in our daily lives. Previously before the pandemic, it was impossible for us to leave our homes without our handphones.

Under the new norms, it is a must to ensure that we also bring and wear a mask if we leave home to go to crowded public places.

Source: NST