RECENTLY, the government lifted several restrictions to help stimulate the economy in the midst of risen pandemic numbers. These included reclassifying most zones from MCO 2.0, into conditional movement-control order (CMCO), which implied freer movements.

Inter-district travel was then allowed, the number of passengers per car increased and restaurants permitted to operate at similar capacity that it did prior to the second lockdown.  

By doing this, the government rightly hoped to spur economic activity that has taken a severe dip, especially following the sombre uptake during the usually buzzing Chinese New Year season. 

It also maintained its encouragement on work from home, while gradually allowing student groups back into campuses.  

Optimism was on a slow rise, but instead of encouraging more people out, steps that followed poured quite a bit of cold water on many Malaysians’ plans to both let loose and help the economy. 

What was originally explained as a sum for repeat offenders, social media was soon rife with complaints about couples fined for eating and drinking, beggars being issued compounds and the list goes on. What is the point of declaring restaurants and cinemas open only to have people fined, amounting millions of ringgit in a day, for what is unclear SOP to begin with? 

More clarity was obtained just days later when Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob clarified that police only have a “blanket” amount to fine, and that the offenders would have to appeal to lessen the amount by themselves. 

Why implement something burdensome to an already burdened public when the mechanism itself has not been straightened out?  

Interstate travel was also announced to be allowed for tourism, but only within green zones and only on Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC)-registered buses. This decision made very little sense, as surely travelling with smaller crowds of known people is safer than a larger, closed vehicle with strangers. Furthermore, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor and Penang, the largest contributors of tourists, are all listed as “red” zones. 

Not only does this method cost more, it could potentially lower the potential economic impact. Shopping and visiting eateries could be hampered, and local tourists may not be as interested in visiting historical sites or beaches. A large portion of tourists also visit friends or relatives, or go a food trip, which would be difficult to arrange with a tour group. 

Apart from fines, calls to cut down school holidays don’t make much economic or practical sense either. On one hand, we are promoting online learning and trying to convince students of its practicality and telling people it is as good as physical learning, and on the other, insist to make up for time lost with physical lessons.  

The same applies for work-from-home arrangements. Though it has been announced multiple times, too much leeway is given, to the point where workplace clusters still form the bulk daily new clusters, despite the thousands in fines issued to individuals and SMEs. 

In fact, it would make far more sense to limit these instead of recreational activities that have far fewer sedentary contact hours, and far greater economic impact. An average employee spends 8.5 hours in the office and the average student, around six. A jog in the park or having a cup of coffee would take no more than an hour. 

Meanwhile, there is little restriction to business activities in shopping malls, which have been thronged by thousands over the past weekends.  

Economic front-liners seem to be forgotten from the first rounds of vaccination as well – while they continue to work non-stop throughout. Malaysian workers in Singapore, on the other hand, have had theirs, with 100,000 more being proposed by the Johor state government.  

This begs the question about our own economic front-liners – train and bus operators, airport staff, supermarket and supply workers.  

These mixed signals from the government, coupled with perceived unequal enforcement, makes it difficult to reconcile with its purported intent to help the economy and provide clear guidelines to conduct economic activities. 

If anything, it further confuses the people, adds unneeded strain to businesses already on their last two feet, and creates much uncertainty and unrest. At this point, it is amazing that public adherence to SOP is still promising, despite many countries having already given up on it as a plausible pandemic control mechanism.

Front-liners, businesses and citizens alike have been more than accommodating to the flip-flops of the authorities, perhaps it is high time to get everyone’s act together and appreciate their collective sacrifices, well over a year now, by making it count. – March 17, 2021.

* 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.