Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced yesterday (2 February) that the Movement Control Order (MCO) will be extended from 5 to 18 February. He added that stricter standard operating procedures (SOP) will also be announced soon.
However, one day later, sources have said that all economic sectors, including retailers, will be opened during the MCO, according to The Star, as small businesses and SMEs have been affected “more adversely than the first MCO last March”.
Hannah Yeoh has since called out the government for making ‘U-turn’ statements, saying that such statements bring huge losses to traders.
“Make an announcement at once. This is an example of a policymaker who has never experienced businessman’s struggles,” she wrote on Twitter.
“Did you know that they have to order stocks and every U-turn the PN government (makes) brings huge losses to the traders?”
“Pity the businesses. How to plan stock with such an inept government?”
Netizens chimed in similar sentiments, with some saying that the MCO has been rather confusing.
- “What is MCO? Must Come Out? It’s not lockdown as it should be. Causing a lot of hardship and confusion to the people. It’s neither here nor there. This government is lost and simply confused themselves.”
- “Maybe, it was like their thoughts, that we run the business like they run the country. No planning, no thinking. Tomorrow problems are tomorrow’s, even today’s problem is tomorrow’s.”
- “It is a confusing MCO. Every day they give us a new surprise. If all business can be opened while the numbers are increasing, what’s the point to restrict business for operation earlier? It gives us so much uncertainty and insecurities in term to cover the pockets…”
- “Then no need la MCO .. Might as well everyone go out to mingle as normal. what la these ministers giving instructions like this I really don’t understand.”
What do you think about this? Let us know in the comments below.
Also read: MOH Predicts 10,000 Daily Covid-19 Cases By 2nd Week of March If Infectivity Rate Doesn’t Drop
