“This it not the time for an election,” Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said at his press conference yesterday (10 November).
He said this during the question and answer session where a reporter asked if the extension of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) to 6 December was long enough to flatten the curve, considering the fact that many businesses have been affected even though the CMCO is the best way to strike a balance between public health and economy.
“This is new virus and each day brings a new lesson. So, we have to see how best we can actually tackle this virus and also curb this infection,” Dr Noor Hisham replied.
He added that on 18 March when the Movement Control Order (MCO) started, it took three months to contain the virus. That was when almost all economic sectors were closed and only essential businesses were allowed to operate.
Dr Noor Hisham went on to say that now, during the third wave, the economic is allowed to resume but restriction is necessary.
“The most important is if everyone can cooperate with the Ministry of Health and everyone can play their roles. The onus is on each and everyone of us to comply,” he said.
“If they can stay at home for two weeks, then we can break the chain of infection. But not everyone can comply. Compliance is a big issue now.”
He explains further that the country can only go back to the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) and normal activities can resume once the curve is flattened. This will probably go on until a solution is found.
He adds that he hopes the virus will mutate to a weaker form and that a vaccine would soon be available.
Commenting on the Sabah state elections, Dr Noor Hisham said that the virus was well contained until 20 September when compliance during the elections was an issue.
“This is a lesson learnt and we hope we can prevent the next election because this is not the time for elections,” he said.
“Whether for PRK (by-election), PRN (state election) or PRU (general election). The timing is just not right.”
The timing is just not right for any election , health DG said. Be it under CMCO or RMCO, strict compliance of SOP is a must in order to live with #COVID19 .Malaysia can pray for virus strain to weaken or an effective vaccine that’s affordable and accessible. pic.twitter.com/lmgB9d70ML
— Melissa Goh (@MelGohCNA) November 9, 2020
You heard it from Dr Noor Hisham himself. The well-being of the country is in our hands and the virus can only be contained if we all do our part.
Also read: Dr Noor Hisham: Please Learn From Sabah Elections & Not Repeat It
