5 Key Issues You Might Have Missed In The Prime Minister's Speech Tonight
"I am not denying the possibility that the MCO might extend further after this."
By Arisha Rozaidee — 23 Apr 2020, 10:21 PM
Everyone seems to already know that the Movement Control Order (MCO) will be extended until 12 May
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin broke the news during a special address at 8.15pm today, 23 April.
1. There is a possibility that the MCO will be extended again after this
"I am not denying the possibility that the MCO might extend further after this," said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
"This means that you might be unable to celebrate Hari Raya in your hometown. You might still be unable to go back to work, except for those working in certain sectors. Businesses might not be allowed to fully operate."
He added that the government might loosen the MCO in phases, if the country's COVID-19 numbers continue to decline. The National Security Council is currently framing a plan to address this matter.
2. Students at university campuses will be allowed to return home
The government is still planning the process to bring them home, based on advice by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
This procedure will affect roughly 100,000 students.
The Prime Minister said, "So we need to plan their movements with great detail to ensure that it is orderly and does not cause a risk of infection. Before they are allowed to return home, we will ensure that they are truly healthy and do not have symptoms of COVID-19."
Details regarding the process will be announced by the government in the near future.
3. Those stranded in their hometown and away from their own houses since the first phase of MCO will be allowed to return
The government is considering giving people one-time travel permits for those who are stuck in their hometown or anywhere else since before the start of MCO.
Since it will involve a large number of people, the government is still collecting data and analysing the best way to arrange the movement.
For now, the public could register online through an application launched by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) or set an appointment to go to the police station.
The Prime Minister emphasised that these are the few steps to slightly loosen MCO but the implementation still needs to be regulated so it does not affect the nation's fight against COVID-19.
4. The government is looking to revive the economy
"With the possibility that the MCO period might be extended further, the government is looking at ways to revive the economy in phases," said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He added, "I have ordered for the Ministry of Finace, the Economic Planning Unit, and the Prime Minister's Office to compose a thorough short-term, medium-term, and long-term Economy Revival Plan."
According to the Prime Minister, the main focus right now is to encourage the rakyat and investors to regenerate the country's economy once again.
5. Companies in certain sectors will be allowed to operate
"Although the MCO might be extended again after this, companies in certain sectors will be allowed to operate, depending on whether they fulfil requirements that prioritise employees' safety, social distancing, and workplace hygiene," the Prime Minister said.
"After this, the government will consider opening other sectors and subsectors, depending on strict terms and conditions."
