STATE governments that have refused to ease curbs on businesses and movement that were put in place to stem Covid-19 infections risk legal action from various parties, said Mohamed Azmin Ali

The senior minister said several industry associations, like the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers and the Malay Chamber of Commerce of Malaysia, have asked state governments not to stop industries that wanted to resume operations today.

“Should state governments refuse to cooperate in implementing Act 342, which has been gazetted into law enforceable throughout the country, state governments may face the possibility of legal action from various parties, particularly the industry players,” he said, referring to the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.

He said the federal government’s decision is lawful and applicable to all states, including Sabah and Sarawak.

The international trade and industry minister said the act was introduced to bring about a uniformed law for the purpose of preventing and controlling infectious diseases in Malaysia and enforceable throughout the country.

Sabah, Sarawak Pahang, Kelantan, Penang, Kedah, Selangor, Negri Sembilan have yet to allow industries to open.

Sabah has said it will not implement the conditional movement control order and would stick to the much stricter MCO until May 12, while the other states are either mulling or allowing businesses to reopen with much stricter rules.

The MCO came into effect on March 18 to curb the spread of Covid-19. It compelled all non-essential businesses and industries to close, while people were told to stay home and venture out only for vital errands, like buying food or seeking medical treatment.

Azmin said the CMCO was made after careful study of findings from the Finance Ministry, MITI, Bank Negara and Khazanah Nasional Bhd.

The findings were discussed at a National Security Council meeting with the mentris besar and chief ministers on April 28.

“Based on the discussions during the meeting, the state governments realised that should the MCO continue until June, the cumulative loss of national income is estimated to reach RM146 billion or a shortfall of 10.3% of GDP. This would wipe out the economic success that has been achieved for the last four years,” he said.

Azmin said the meeting agreed to reopen certain economic sectors beginning May 4.

He said the meeting decided that the federal government will provide procedures for businesses to follow, and these were given to state governments on May 2. – May 4, 2020.