Chamber supports MCO extension and calls for stricter enforcement
KOTA KINABALU: The government had no choice but to extend the Movement Control Order (MCO) 2.0 for another 14 days till February 18 as a means to combat the high number of Covid-19 cases, said Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) president Datuk Michael Lui.
Lui hoped that the government would take strict enforcement against gatherings involving large number of people and impose a ban on interstate and inter-district travels.
Additionally, he hoped that the government would have tighter measures in ensuring mandatory usage of face masks in public and adherence to physical distancing as the people could not take another round of MCO.
“As the Covid-19 cases rebound, KKCCCI has no reason not to support measures taken by the government to control the pandemic so that economic activities and livelihoods could be restored.
“We hope that all quarters could work together to put the development of Malaysia and Sabah back on track,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Lui admitted that the extension of the MCO, which was supposed to end on Feb 4, came as a surprise. Nevertheless, he encouraged the people to think positive with hopes that stricter standard operating procedures (SOP) would effectively help to curb the rising number of Covid-19 cases, which in turn, save the battered economy.
He opined that extending the current MCO would not do the shrinking economic and business activities any good. He also appealed to the government not to have double standards when formulating the SOP for any form of MCO or the Chinese New Year to avoid confusion.
Lui said the MCO extension would certainly deliver a hard blow to the economy, education, livelihoods and employment.
“More companies will close down, leaving more people jobless.
“Business across the board can no longer bear the impact of MCO.
“We hope that the government will introduce another round of economic assistance package to the people, including companies and businesses, to minimize the impact of the MCO on the economy and livelihoods.”
Lui reiterated that economic growth was only possible if the Covid-19 pandemic was under control.
“Flattening the curve is a major challenge and a common responsibility of the government and people,” he said.
He said the people could not rely solely on government’s enforcement to control the spread of the virus.
“Although the Covid-19 vaccine could take us out of this crisis, it is uncertain when the vaccination programme could be fully implemented among Malaysians.
“Hence, it is important for the people to continue to practise discipline by abiding to the SOP.”
Lui said 90 percent of the people have shown high compliance with the SOP during the MCO phase.
Regrettably, he said some undisciplined individuals had caused the virus to spread to other districts and states.
“We must not be complacent. We should support and monitor each other on SOP compliance.”
Lui urged the people to stay at home in order to flatten the curve once again.