Covid in Malaysia Poses a Grim Threat

In Malaysia, Covid still poses a grim threat and today, we even crossed the 7,000 mark! It is squeezing every ounce of optimism that it can out of what remains amongst the long-suffering rakyat. 

This is especially true for us in Selangor and KL because these two account for 63% of all new cases reported today. If we add adjoining Negeri Sembilan, this percentage goes up to 72%.

You don’t actually need to be clever to know that Covid is not going to show a downward trajectory anytime soon just because we’ve cooked up alphabet soup (MCO, CMCO, RMCO, FMCO, EMCO) that is meant to supposedly help us navigate this cursed pandemic. We seem to be leaving to chance.  

With the exception of the vaccination roll-out, we have tended to be reactive, rather than proactive. That's why the numbers remain obstinately high.

After moving into Phase Two yesterday, Pahang’s Covid-19 infectivity rises again to 1.24, the highest in the country – and EMCO has now been instituted in two localities in Rompin as a result. 

Still, that's not stopping Penang from becoming the sixth state to move into Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan effective from tomorrow. 

Note that lapses can and will occur and the Covid situation, at any given time, can take a turn for the worse or it can improve. What do you expect when we do not have Covid strategies in place?! So really, this NRP thing is a sham! 

By the way, the word 'recovery' in NRP is a misnomer. I believe 'relapse' is the appropriate term to use.  

I had already suspected that there are businesses that are stubbornly operating as if they never knew that the Enhanced Movement Control Order is in force.

Just check out the workplace clusters that are being reported daily. These are businesses which are flouting SOPs and generating infections. 

Anyway, my hunch is proven right when I came across a news report that glove manufacturer Top Glove have confirmed today that they will suspend operations at their factories in Klang, Selangor, which is actually under the EMCO.

And according to the Malaysian Trades Union Congress, workers of at least two factories and one office in non-essential sectors in EMCO areas in Selangor, have obtained approvals on Sunday to operate. [Note: The said consent has since been rescinded]. 

I can't help but wonder how many other companies have received MITI's blessings and are operating? 

And not forgetting to mention that 188 construction sites were ordered to be closed, according to the Construction Industry Development Board.

No wonder, Covid is unstoppable!