IT has been eight days since the movement-control order (MCO) came into force, and there has been a flurry of communication from the government. At this critical juncture, it needs to be improved.

On March 16, the prime minister held two news conferences within hours. The first not only clashed with the health minister’s presser, but also gave little indication of the second, in which the PM announced the MCO.

The communiques that followed were less than smooth. Already-panicked people were told that they had to obtain approval to cross state borders, and this caused massive lines to form outside police stations. Mere hours after issuing the directive, the inspector-general of police rescinded it, by which time, the damage was already done.

The MCO announcement itself raised many questions that took the government some time to answer and clarify. Ministries should’ve communicated clearly within and among themselves especially regarding areas of common interest, like trade, travel and “essential” services.

A few lists were put out, each new one successively longer, on what counted as essential. Even so, companies were largely left on their own to figure things out and piece together the information.

Another example of bungled instructions was Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) order last weekend for people to wear masks when buying groceries, contradicting the health director-general’s statement the same day. Given the appeal for the public to donate masks to hospitals, where personal protective equipment is in short supply, the DBKL directive only muddled things up.

To make matters worse, there were reports of people reusing or sharing masks as they wouldn’t be allowed entry into supermarkets if they didn’t wear one – effectively causing more harm than good. This is a prime example of a lack of common sense.

It is understandable that everybody must play their part as we navigate these uncharted waters, but Putrajaya is the one with the majority of resources, which need to be utilised at this crucial moment.

As former deputy defence minister Liew Chin Tong rightly pointed out, the military is almost a “government within a government”, with its own medical corps and ad hoc administrative and construction capabilities. State governments should also pitch in even without being asked as local authorities have a better understanding of what’s happening on the ground, with their own vector- and disease-control units. Federal agencies, on the other hand, have more of a macro, bird’s eye view.

If they have an ounce of decency left in them, politicians should refrain from playing politics at this hour. To defend your colleague is one thing, but to stand by wrong and dangerous remarks made on live TV is another. The health D-G and other medical practitioners have dismissed the claim that drinking warm water can kill the coronavirus, so there’s no need to parade the health minister’s credentials, or worse, ridicule the accurate advice given by those who disagree with him.

Leaving certain parties out of national coordination meetings is a no-no, too. States doing their own thing is great, but there needs to be cooperation between them, and support from Putrajaya. Complement, not outdo, one another.

Common sense points to tapping the experience of Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad to manage health-related logistics and Anthony Loke to coordinate flights and segment public transport to limit the spread of Covid-19.

If we can’t even get it right with financial allocations for elected representatives, are we really mature – or sane – enough to not let politics get in the way of resolving our biggest national crisis since the May 13, 1969 riots?

The people need the right thing done, and soon. – March 25, 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.