THE Monday announcement and subsequent steps taken by the government left Malaysians with more questions than answers.

While decisive action in the face of a national crisis is welcome, drastic moves not only require proper justification, but also adequate communication and measures to cushion the accompanying social, economic and diplomatic blow.

Two press conferences called simultaneously, followed by an “important” one that was supposed to be held four hours later, but delayed by an hour, did little to reduce public anxiety. In that five-hour window, we saw panic-buying. The next morning, some people still had no idea that the movement-control order would come into force at midnight. More panic-buying ensued.

Hours before the enforcement period began, university students were asked to vacate their institutions, and they made a beeline for home. The nation’s top cop issued a directive for the public to obtain permission for interstate travel, causing massive queues outside police stations, only for him to retract it the same day.

The unnecessary alarm caused by these moves negated the desired effect of people staying put to help flatten the coronavirus curve.

Also, communication appears lacking in the government’s handling of the outbreak. After the prime minister announced the movement-control order, ministries should have followed up with a detailed explanation of the matters under their purview.

For example, the Transport Ministry should have provided updates on the status of public transport and flights, and advice for those whose flights were cancelled. The Human Resources Ministry should have explained the situation regarding Malaysian workers abroad, especially those employed in Singapore, and foreign workers here, and made known the arrangements it would make to assist those in a quandary.

Messages of reassurance and hope did not reach the people in the crucial first 24 hours, and as a result, we were left confused. This is not the time for politics, and if Lim Guan Eng and Najib Razak can agree on that, so should everyone else.

Leaving out certain menteris besar and chief ministers from a meeting on a national crisis sent the wrong signal. So was choosing now, of all times, to sack Mara chairmen and directors.

This is a critical period, and the people need leadership and guidance. Hopefully, communication improves going forward.

With a government still finding its feet, Malaysians must look out for each other. Fear and hysteria bring out the worse in anyone, but we should rise above this as a country. There shouldn’t have been a need to issue travel restrictions for the balik kampung crowd, or tell varsities to take care of their students living on campus.

We have to be considerate in these trying times, and exercise our well-publicised courtesy and politeness. We should be looking out for our neighbours, employees and those unable to look out for themselves.

The government should seriously consider the burden this is having on an already-soft economy, and take steps to mitigate further impact. The economic stimulus package announced shortly before Perikatan Nasional took office should be relooked, and revised if needed. It did not take into account 16 days without a cabinet, two weeks of restricted movement and the 900,000 small and medium enterprises affected.

These efforts need to be undertaken and communicated to the people effectively, and urgently. – March 19, 2020.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.