KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) has urged the government to take into consideration of the present dire conditions of the national economy, business sector, political chaos and the ongoing floods in Peninsular Malaysia, when formulating a new and comprehensive measure to better contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
Its President, Tan Sri T.C Goh acknowledged that the worsening Covid-19 outbreak, coupled with the floods, political chaos and a near-freezing economy has inflicted tremendous suffering on the people.
“All the above-mentioned factors have rendered it extremely tough for the business sector and the ordinary people,” he lamented.
He expressed this in a statement issued today, in response to the news report that Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was expected to make an announcement on new and stricter standard operating procedures (SOP) tomorrow (Monday), following discussions with the National Security Council (NSC).
Goh said, overall, Huazong welcomes and supports the government’s move of introducing a series of SOPs, for the business sector and the people, with some adjustments from time to time.
The imposing of hefty fines of up to one thousand ringgit against those who fail to comply with the SOPs, which some people described as “too much to bear, reflected the government’s determination to fight the pandemic.
“Likewise, the government should perhaps introduce some SOPs for the political arena to make sure that the politicians too would better comply with SOPs when conducting their activities and programs,” he suggested.
Goh then underscored that, amidst the worsening pandemic, both state elections and by elections should not be allowed in the country, adding that politicians must respect the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decision last year, of declaring emergency against several impending by elections.
“All political organisations in the country must respect the royal edict issued by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and to stop making threats or calling for dissolution of the Parliament to conduct a snap election during this extremely challenging period of time,” he stressed.
He also called on the government to pay due attention to the potential compounding effects of the flood situation in the east coast and southern Peninsular Malaysia, and to roll out appropriate and effective SOPs to prevent the emergence of the “flood clusters”, so that the pandemic would not go out of control.
“The relevant authorities should especially ensure there’s a proper and efficient SOP for all the flood evacuation centres,” he said.
He also hoped that the government could further review the existing economic stimulus package and the Prihatin Rakyat aid package, so as to assist the business sector and the people to better cope with the increasingly challenging situation inflicted by the worsening pandemic.-pr/BNN
