THE Ministry of Health has advised Putrajaya to extend the recovery movement control order (MCO) after it is scheduled to end on August 31, said Minister of Health Dr Adham Baba.

According to the minister, the proposal has been forwarded to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and the National Security Council (NSC).

Adham said the ministry decided on this course of action because the World Health Organisation expects Covid-19 to last at least two years and Malaysia must prepare to face this prospect.

“Two years is a long time. Muhyiddin has also launched a new norms culture and the people must jointly handle the spread of Covid-19.

“The ministry has made a recommendation to the NSC and the PM to consider extending the recovery MCO until the situation is under control.

“So, it is up to the PM to announce it in the near future, while we see countries still struggling with cases, import cases in particular are increasing.

“In our country, we are still strengthening and controlling the border entrances,” he told reporters at a press conference at the Felda Bukit Besar Assembly Hall in Johor today.

Adham refused to be drawn on the row brewing over the RM1,000 fine imposed on the Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali.

“It has been resolved. Director-general of Health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has commented on Twitter.

“We look at various angles. For the compound, the maximum is RM1,000, if anyone wants to take the matter to court, it is up to them,” he said.

Earlier, the ministry in its statement, said Khairuddin committed an offence under the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (Measures in Local Infectious Areas) Regulations 2020, Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1998, which provides for a maximum fine of RM1,000, six months imprisonment or both upon conviction. – August 23, 2020.