The increasing number of new daily Covid-19 infections, which has gone well past the 6,000 plus mark this week, has sparked fears of a possible return to the first movement control order (MCO) in a bid to arrest the situation. However, various industries and trade associations have pleaded with the government not to resort to a full MCO as it will hurt the economy and affect people’s livelihoods, The Sun reports.
One of the industries that has urged the government to not implement a full MCO is the Malaysian Automotive Component Parts Manufacturers (MACPMA). It said via a statement that a total lockdown will severely impact the industry, which already has to contend with rising production cost from increasing raw material and shipping costs as well as a reduction in output, a shortage of skilled labour and margin squeeze.
The association said that the industry saw a RM1.15 billion loss in export sales during the first MCO, and that many of its members – of which around 30% are exporters – would not be able to afford another total lockdown, especially SMEs struggling to stay afloat and retain their employees.
It said that its members remain committed to implementing critical measures to keep employees and communities safe by adhering to the strict conditions stipulated in the standard operating procedures (SOPs), and the association hoped the government would be able to accelerate the vaccination programme for economic sectors in order to achieve herd immunity faster.
The initial MCO in March last year saw an almost complete halt to economic activity in the first phases of the order. In April, selected economic sectors were allowed to reopen, and component manufacturing was among businesses permitted to reopen in the automotive industry, albeit only in green zones. It wasn’t until May, when the conditional movement control order (CMCO) was introduced, that almost all economic sectors and business activities were allowed to resume.
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MACPMA protest on full MCO is like saying “i don’t care if people get infected and die because my members don’t want to lose another RM1.15 billion as the money is more valuable than the lives that are lost”.
Correct. Govt alr adviced Work from home (WFH) as the safe way forward
The already so many MCO version caused so much confusion and suffering among rakyat. Some get thrown into jail, some kana fined. The rakyat is very tired and sick of every evolving, never ending MCO version. Making live so difficult.
Please, do it once, do it right with the MCO lah.
No half-cooked MCO. Half measure MCO dont work la, despite attempted so many times by the Govt.
So, will the Govt ever learn from their mistakes?
I am wondering if “Full MCO” is like “Fool MCO” and vice versa.
The irony is that many of these people who flout Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) had complained about the supposed government’s failure to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
They complain on and on, on social media and criticise the government for having double standards when certain VIPs only get a slap on the wrist for SOP violations.
Sure, the government could have addressed these issues better. But two wrongs don’t make a right. If members of the public do not adhere to not just the letter but also the spirit of the SOPs, then our war against Covid-19 is going to be much harder.
And this would be due to the very people who, ironically, complain that the government is not doing enough. To these people; full lockdown they will complain, partial lockdown they will still complain, relaxed lockdown they will also complain.
Selangor Gahmen never learn from their mistakes deswai they consistent have highest daily cases. Syukur KL under Federal Gahmen still lower.
Perak gahmen is worse bcos 4 Perak districts have to be put under EMCO.
money more important than people’s lives. syabas.
when gomen announced full MCO, pipul wud get ready to balik kampong. Buy roti gardenia & get ready resipi kopi Dalgona
Wanna wait 10k case hah?
These kind of greedy pipo la causing high case.
go back Sabah, pegi ke sana pegi ke sini no problem sez Mentri.
Lucky those mentris have been kick out and replaced by caring mentris now
Syukur sangat amat
Is blatant reckless if Govt not to imposed Full Lockdown until ogos… Rakyat lives and family are at stake.. Money cannot buy back our life.
Irresponsible automative industries! Go for full lockdown!
Stupidity has no limit.
Greed has no limit.
This is why we are forever stuck in MCO.
This MCO as what Dato Sabri says, will come and go. As long as our progress of vaccination is ongoing , we will be exposed to this risk of more mco in future.
For example even Taiwan with strict adherence to control infection, they will face similar problem like us. just a small leak, then it will spread.
so to be fair to all, it is to fine tune our mco and continue to be vigilant. key to end this pandemic is thru widespread vaccination.
We heard them. what Dato Sabri says is really True, will come and go. They alr come , and is time to Go. Rakyat can wait no more kayangan.
People want full Lockdown. Govt listen to MEF who for sure don’t want it. What a shame. Business loss is the nature of business. Whatever loss can still earn back just how to do it. But life once gone, it’s gone. No one asked for long term Lockdown but because of some bad decisions we need Lockdown now even if just days or weeks. Which will be better than we don’t. Sadly govt only sees money. Protect biz more than people.
People want full Lockdown. Govt listen to MEF who for sure don’t want it. What a shame. Business loss is the nature of business. Whatever loss can still earn back just how to do it. But life once gone, it’s gone. No one asked for long term Lockdown but because of some bad decisions we need Lockdown now even if just days or weeks. Which will be better than we don’t. Sadly govt only sees money. Protect biz more than people.
Business and profits are above all. Even above Malaysian life.
Now, should be called it “Lujaganyawasendiri”.