After the announcement by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday, Malaysia will be in a Movement Control Order from March 18, 2020, to the day after March 31, 2020. Even though it was stated that supermarkets, public markets, grocery stores and convenience stores will remain open, this didn’t stop some people from panic buying. This move seems irresponsible as with one group hoarding all the necessities, it doesn’t leave much for those who actually need it. Some of the most coveted items are, of course, face masks and sanitisers, which has lead to some greedy people selling these products at a higher price than usual.
The Chinese government has stated that they are committed to helping Malaysia during the Covid-19 outbreak by supplying face masks and disinfectants. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, told Sinar Harian that this generous move was presented by Chinese Ambassador Bai Tian when he visited Wisma Putrajaya yesterday, 16th of March.
Am so happy to have received HE Ambassador Bai Tian, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China ?? in @MalaysiaMFA today. We both emphasised that Malaysia and China will strengthen cooperation in all fields but focused on our most pressing task – the fight against #COVIDー19 pic.twitter.com/skMytHc9BG
— Hishammuddin Hussein (@HishammuddinH2O) March 16, 2020
Hishammuddin added that he will officially contact his colleague at China, Wang Yi, so that the Malaysian citizens residing in China will get sufficient protection during this pandemic. He also said that this will be a good opportunity to strengthen the bond between the two countries.
This isn’t a time to fight among ourselves and be selfish. Get what you need and what is necessary only! We would like to thank the Chinese government for their generous offer.
Also read: Chinese Govt: Families Of Medics Who Died Due to Covid-19 Will Receive RM3,000 “Compensation”