ANY decision to place Selangor under a complete lockdown lies in the hands of the federal government, said Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari. 

He said the state government would accept and support any decision taken by Putrajaya, including a complete lockdown.

However he added that there must be effective follow-up measures added to the lockdown to ensure people’s livelihood and students’ education are not affected. 

“The power to announce a comprehensive and full lockdown, similar to the movement-control order 1.0 or something even more stringent, is vested on the National Security Council, headed by the prime minister, which is under the federal government. 

“The state government will (even) accept a lockdown in hopes it will be seen holistically.

“(If implemented) we need to clarify and ensure some steps are taken, for example the implementation of an efficient and comprehensive home learning scheme, direct financial assistance to the B40 group, clear and non-repetitive standard operating procedure. 

“There must be a proper exit plan that is not rushed, and have larger, more comprehensive and faster (swab) tests in the state,” he told a press conference today.

Amirudin’s response comes after Health Minister Dr Adham Baba on Monday warned that Selangor could be put under full lockdown if the number of Covid-19 cases cannot be brought under control.

Earlier today, Selangor Covid-19 task force chairman Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad urged Putrajaya to think carefully about ordering a full lockdown to rein in the coronavirus in the state.

Amirudin clarified that Dzulkefly did not entirely reject a full lockdown, but that the former health minister wanted comprehensive follow-up measures to be taken. 

The Sg Tua assemblyman, however, said the next course of action would be discussed in the upcoming NSC meeting, which is scheduled this week. 

Amirudin also said they will advise the federal government of proactive steps that could be taken to combat the situation, which has seen cases surge in the state.

He said there could be a win-win situation for all parties. 

“I want to take steps together with all parties. This must be a holistic and consensus decision by the state and federal administrations.

“We will explain some specific measures if a full MCO is implemented or if not, how we can improve the situation,” he said.

Amirudin described the current MCO as an “artificial pause”, which he claimed was necessary to stem the number of rising cases. 

“This is an artificial pause.

“It is not comprehensive but an artificial action that is needed, otherwise it (cases) would be out of control,” he said. 

On procuring its own vaccines, Amirudin said the state was in the final stages of the process.

Once adequate supplies are obtained, he said the state would present the enrolment plans to the Covid-19 task force, because he does not want to complicate matters with the national immunisation programme. – May 19, 2021.