‘Economic activities not affected’

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin says the decision to impose the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in Sabah, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya is “the right move” given the rapid increase of Covid-19 cases in the states.

The government, he noted, had to take pre-emptive action. Citing the rise in Covid-19 cases in Selangor, including the Gombak and Hulu Langat districts, Muhyiddin said the government was not willing to wait until the situation became worse before taking action.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, he acknowledged that while there must be proper balance between life and the livelihood of the people, he said “a single life lost is already a high price for the country”.

Muhyiddin gave his assurance that economic activities in the states would not be affected by the CMCO, following grouses from certain quarters, including Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

Questions surrounding the government’s decision to impose the CMCO took centre stage as Muhyiddin addressed senior journalists, including New Straits Times group editor Lokman Mansor, via a Zoom video call aired live on television as well as on Muhyiddin’s Facebook page.

The prime minister also touched on the upcoming 2021 Budget, which will be tabled on Nov 6.

He said the budget would focus on four main thrusts, including targeted support for economically vulnerable groups during the pandemic, supporting industries through specific incentives once recovery measures are implemented, empowering service delivery and developing sustainable living.

Here are excerpts from the press con ference:

Question: The Selangor menteri besar has asked why the entire state has to be put under the CMCO even though not all districts are red zones.

Answer: The Selangor government is concerned that economic activities will be affected. Today, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob detailed all the sectors that can continue to operate, such as pasar minggu (weekend markets).

We understand the need to strike a balance between life and livelihood. The Selangor MB has been informed by the minister (Ismail Sabri) on this today (yesterday), and he (Amirudin) concurred that the decision by the National Security Council (NSC) was right. I hope those in Selangor, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur, where CMCO is enforced, will strictly observe the standard operating procedures (SOP).

Q: There are allegations that the government has acted too slowly to introduce mandatory quarantine and shut Sabah borders when cases started to spike.

A: In the case of Sabah, before we imposed the latest decision yesterday (Monday), we had been following developments closely. This was very much targeted in all areas in Sabah.

We also took necessary action, in particular to ensure that our frontline workers had enough resources, like hospital beds.

I previously mentioned that there was a breach of SOP where people didn’t maintain physical distancing during the Sabah election campaign period, and we had problems in managing that.

But most importantly, it is still not too late and we are looking at it thoroughly.

For frontline workers, we have approved requests in terms of staffing. I think doctors and nurses have been recruited on contract just to meet Sabah’s requirement for medical staff.

Second, the state, while having RM50 million in its coffers to help people affected by CMCO, has requested the federal government to extend our support. The finance minister at my request yesterday approved RM50 million for Sabah to manage the situation.

I’m sure we’ll be able to contain it better, including on enforcement, where there is encroachment by illegal immigrants. We’ve also decided to step up enforcement along the coastal borders by deploying patrol vessels, including near Sandakan and Semporna. As I explained prior to this, a multi-dimensional approach is being taken and we will monitor the situation closely.

Things are very much under control at the moment.

Q: What is the progress of Malaysia’s efforts to obtain a Covid-19 vaccine?

A: There’s good news for us. During a bilateral meeting via video conferencing with China’s foreign minister, we discussed support and cooperation on vaccine supplies.

As we all know, China is currently at the most advanced stage in studying the (Covid-19) vaccine. I was informed that it has reached the final stage, and the vaccine could be available by year-end after clinical trials are completed.

China has assured that Malaysia will be the first country it would help in supplying the Covid-19 vaccine.

Another option is for Malaysia to join the Covid-19 Vaccine Global Access (Covax) plan. We have decided to do so by paying about RM40 million to become a state member and spend another RM600 million to obtain the vaccine.

Under the plan, each member state will receive vaccines for 10 per cent of its population, which accounts for about three million people in Malaysia.

Q: If Covid-19 cases continue to rise and the Movement Control Order (MCO) has to be implemented, does the government have the financial capability to announce new Prihatin and Penjana packages?

A: Let’s not hope for another MCO after this. The previous MCO had left a huge impact. What we are doing now is to ensure that Malaysia does not go into lockdown like before.

Many in the economic and social sectors do not want that to happen. We have already assisted the rakyat by channelling RM35 billion in aid. If a second MCO is imposed, we need to prepare a bigger allocation and this will affect the economy.

Our strategy in facing the third Covid-19 wave is to take steps to spend more to ensure that we can contain the infection. I have 100 per cent approved the Health Ministry’s request for any form of assistance and support.

Q: The upcoming Batu Sapi by-election has sparked concern given the situation in Sabah. Can the polls be delayed? Barisan Nasional has announced that it would not field a candidate for the by-election. What is Perikatan Nasional’s stance on this?

A: The Election Commission should review its SOP for the Batu Sapi by-election. I shouldn’t be telling the commission what to do, but maybe it could look into its experience in conducting the Sabah election.

This includes tightening the SOP, having a shorter campaign period, allowing fewer people to participate in the campaign and utilising social media for election campaigning. As Barisan Nasional has expressed its decision not to field a candidate, the other parties will discuss the matter further before deciding on it.

Q: There are complaints that punitive measures are applied differently between ordinary folk and ministers, although the PM made it clear that the “cane” applies to all. Is this true?

A: As far as I’m concerned, there are no double standards. The law does not apply separately. It will be applied to my ministers and their deputies, too.

Let me explain, even on the allegations that I was not wearing the pink band. I’m the most obedient person. I was told by the Health Ministry that I was not required to wear it, unlike minister Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan or Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, who sat closely beside Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri, who tested positive for Covid-19.

I was 15 metres away from him. If the Health Ministry had instructed me to do so, I would have worn it. However, that’s the impression by people, that there was special treatment.

Q: Is there a possibility that the government will extend the loan moratorium based on the current situation?

A: Almost 98 per cent of applications for loan moratorium extensions have been approved. Of the total, 40 per cent were granted targeted moratorium.

The banks have informed us that they can consider extending assistance to the cases. The other 60 per cent (of successful applicants) are helped via reduction in loan monthly installments. This is based on the applicants’ financial position, whereby assistance in loan repayments will be provided until 2021. Individuals (who face problems) are advised to discuss with the financial institutions to get assistance. In addition, the Penjana and Prihatin initiatives would also provide aid to certain groups.

Q: The CMCO announcement has caused people to rush out to buy supplies, leading to another wave of panic-buying. What is the difference between the CMCO then and now?

A: We advise the public against panic-buying. Representatives of the family can still go out to buy groceries throughout the CMCO period. This time around, we are able to have some room to allow people to carry out daily activities, based on our first experience with the CMCO (enforced between May 4 and June 9).

Q: Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong this morning (yesterday). What is your comment?

A: My concern and interest is not about that, but managing Covid-19 and, of course, the economy.

While he (Anwar) was at Istana Negara, I was in a video conference with members of the NSC to discuss Covid-19.

I leave it to the best judgment of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The king is the most learned and qualified person and has his way of doing things, as provided for by the Constitution.

Source: NST