THE extended movement-control order as well as the increasing number of Covid-19 cases mean that Malaysians are set for a grim Chinese New Year this year, said Lim Kit Siang.

The Iskandar Puteri MP said in a statement today the high Covid-19 infectivity rate is worrying, pointing out that the Health Ministry’s revised pandemic projections show that Malaysia will record 8,000 daily new Covid-19 cases by the first week of March.

The projections also showed that there will be 10,000 daily new cases by the second week of March.

The government yesterday extended the MCO to February 18, while the Chinese New Year falls on February 12.

The National Security Council is expected to announce its standard operating procedure for the CNY celebrations soon, where it is expected to ban gatherings and other related activities.

“With the first shipment of the Covid-19 vaccine to arrive on February 26, this would mean that Malaysia’s nationwide Covid-19 vaccination programme would only be able to begin in March,” said Lim.

“So far, more than 101 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine had been given out in 64 countries.

“As Malaysia will be far behind other countries in the vaccination programme, we must make sure that we are well prepared to resolve the logistical problems to carry out a successful national vaccination.”

The government is also distracted and sending wrong signals by conferring titles to five ministers and nine deputy ministers in conjunction with this year’s Federal Territory Day celebrations.

“The greatest challenge today is to restore public confidence and trust in the national strategy and approach in the war against the Covid-19 pandemic, for it is in painful tatters as a result the double standards in observing the Covid-19 SOP.

“In this context, reports that five ministers and nine deputy ministers were conferred titles are sending the wrong signals to the public.

“Ministers, deputy ministers and political leaders should be setting an example of public service before self to regain public confidence and trust in the war against Covid-19.”

Malaysia reported a record number of 21 deaths yesterday, with 3,455 new cases.

Selangor once again topped the list with 1,145 infections, followed by Johor (708) and Kuala Lumpur (619).

Selangor has now surpassed the 70,000 mark. – February 3, 2021.