When I read the Star Online's Azmin: Government carried out detailed studies before deciding to restart economy I have a tendency to do the opposite, to wit, NOT to restart the economy as yet, wakakaka.
Though Azmin has been brilliant in assassinating his political opponents as well as being traitorous to his political colleagues, like long time partner Anwar Ibrahim, he hasn't been exactly brilliant in his economic management as Menteri MITI. Thus far, he has balls-ed it up mostly - OK for barbershop to operate under MCO? Wakakaka.
And as for his "other" types of management, wakakaka, well I have to leave that for you to guesstimate.
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The Star Online reports that Azmin Ali stated:
The government's decision to restart the economy is based on detailed studies, noting that businesses allowed to operate must follow standard operating procedures (SOP) set for their respective industries.
... that reopening economic sectors would contribute to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, domestic and foreign direct investment, exports as well as the sustainability of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), including job security.
The government made this decision thoroughly, cautiously and with responsibility. The government has given detailed consideration based on data and studies presented in relation to the health, economic as well as financial status of the country.
... the government had decided to take steps to reopen the economy in stages starting from March 18 to April 28 during the movement control order (MCO) phases one to three in compliance with health requirements.
... the careful and cautious actions taken had shown good results, especially in terms of reopening economic sector without affecting the government's efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.
... that reopening economic sectors would contribute to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, domestic and foreign direct investment, exports as well as the sustainability of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), including job security.
The government made this decision thoroughly, cautiously and with responsibility. The government has given detailed consideration based on data and studies presented in relation to the health, economic as well as financial status of the country.
... the government had decided to take steps to reopen the economy in stages starting from March 18 to April 28 during the movement control order (MCO) phases one to three in compliance with health requirements.
... the careful and cautious actions taken had shown good results, especially in terms of reopening economic sector without affecting the government's efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Hmmm, we haven't even restarted, yet he could daringly say: ... the careful and cautious actions taken had shown good results, especially in terms of reopening economic sector without affecting the government's efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.
What eff-ing "good results"? But that's Azmin and his many kerbaus for you, wakakaka.
No doubt, Menteri MITI, Menteri Kewangan, Big Bankers, MEF, etc, all want to restart the economy a.s.ap, but as someone mentioned, we need to do things with care, caution and prudence because we have NOT yet developed a vaccine, yes, the remedy for the deadly infection - masih ta'ada lah.
Indeed, when I read what Dr Noor Hisham, DG MOH said, I have a sneaky suspicion he too has NOT been happy with the 'MCO Lite' (easing of the MCO conditions) starting on Monday.
FMT reports in its No need to rush, health DG reminds businesses, as follows:
There’s no need to rush back into full business operations when restrictions under the movement control order are relaxed from Monday, Health-director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah said today.
In a message posted online this evening, he advised businesses to use the first week back at work “to strategise, plan and implement (changes in procedures) and not necessarily for you to fully resume services”.
He said they should take time to plan and do what is necessary to comply with standard procedures for their respective business sectors and abide by the new norms in the workplace.
“Employers must ensure all employees adhere to safe distancing, especially in confined spaces.
“You may need to rearrange the office space to make it more spacious and safe, regularly sanitise common areas such as pantries or prayer rooms (surau) and only allow a limited number of people to congregate in a space at any one time to ensure safe social distancing,” he said.
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Noor Hisham Abdullah, director-general of health |
He said the health ministry’s guiding principles are clear and the onus is on employers to implement them.
“This is our social responsibility and we need social discipline and social compliance to embrace and practice the SOPs. We must adapt to these new norms.
“The world will not be the same any more. We must all learn that every individual’s action has a ripple effect on how we manage Covid-19 in our community. We have to adapt, adjust and accommodate the new norms in our lives.
Although Malaysia had managed to avert a disaster, the war against Covid-19 was not over. “Next week will witness us fighting in a new battlefield with new strategies in place,” he said.
He urged Malaysians to “help each other to make sure our loved ones especially those who are vulnerable are safe. Let us keep Malaysia safe.”
“This is our social responsibility and we need social discipline and social compliance to embrace and practice the SOPs. We must adapt to these new norms.
“The world will not be the same any more. We must all learn that every individual’s action has a ripple effect on how we manage Covid-19 in our community. We have to adapt, adjust and accommodate the new norms in our lives.
Although Malaysia had managed to avert a disaster, the war against Covid-19 was not over. “Next week will witness us fighting in a new battlefield with new strategies in place,” he said.
He urged Malaysians to “help each other to make sure our loved ones especially those who are vulnerable are safe. Let us keep Malaysia safe.”
In other words, businesses must not only strategize, plan and implement (changes in procedures) to the "new norm', but equally important, also TRAIN its staff. This will require time on, for example, how we can maintain 'social distancing' in the work place, recreational facilities and/or eateries (restaurants, coffee-shops etc).
It's good to note that Boi-Boi in Kedah, Amirudin Shari in Selangor and Douglas Uggah Embas in Sarawak have been more careful than Azmin Ali.
Related:
Malaysiakini today's headlines New Covid-19 cases hit triple digits again informs us:
Covid-19 cases rose to 105, the highest in 16 days, with 94 cases being locally transmitted.
Covid-19 cases rose to 105, the highest in 16 days, with 94 cases being locally transmitted.
Tapi Parlimen tak boleh buka? Only one day to chop attendance.
ReplyDeleteWhy not buka with say 50 MPs to comply with quorum and adhering with social distance, and the rest can "attend" online?
In this case I agree it is high time the MCO be eased in a controlled manner.
ReplyDeleteIt has to be detailed data driven, instead of 1 size-fits all for the whole of Malaysia.
There have been NO new cases for Kedah, Perak, 1 case whole of last week for the whole of Penang.
Continue to ban Interstate travel, good.
There is no reason to continue strict lockdowns for the whole country.
Many vulnerable people wil suffer severe hardship if the MCO continues, especially with the limited, inept and polticised aid distribution.
People want to get back to work, not charity.
The objective, for now, is to prevent uncontrollable outbreak.
Zero cases is unachievable without a vaccine, and impossible with an open economy.
We are not Australia or New Zealand with severe immigration barriers and thousands of miles of ocean barrier.