MANY are doubtful whether the stricter and tighter measures will yield the necessary positive results to bring down the Covid-19 infection rates, which have been soaring between the 4000 and 6000 marks for the last few weeks without showing any signs of abating.

A large cross section of society was in favour of a total lockdown for about two weeks which will surely bring down transmission rates that will ease the work load of the frontliners, reduce the overcrowding at the hospitals and not to mention also mitigating the financial burden of the government and the fear and worries of the people.

Since a total lockdown has been shelved, it could be better if states with high infection rates such as Selangor imposed a lockdown, as the state accounts for more than a third of infection rates and it is high time a lockdown is seriously considered.

Selangor is the most populated and most industrialised and also the richest state in the country. A short-term lockdown of about two to three weeks will be beneficial despite the expected economic losses.

If the infection rates were to linger on, the state’s population will always be at risk. With interstate travel banned or restricted, a lockdown in Selangor will be effective.

Selangor is the wealthiest state and has large reserves of money that have been accumulating since the time of Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim. This money is considered a saving to be used during when there are urgent needs such as an economic slowdown or lockdown in the state.

The people come first, not money. When the lockdown was imposed in March 2020, only a small miserly pittance has been released by the state government from its cash reserves to help the various affected sectors.

If there is a lockdown, the money from the reserves should be utilised to help the people in the state such as the B40 (Selangor has the highest percentage of urban poverty), the traders and shopkeepers, the unemployed, the SMEs and farmers.

It can reduce or grant discounts or a waiver for licences or rentals of local authority commercial properties, parking fees, assessment rates, quit rent and other payments. This will somewhat ease the burden of the people. 

Also, incentives such as temporary trading or business licences or permits could be issued by local authorities to people wanting to open small businesses to tide over the Covid-19 pandemic that has affected their livelihood. This will stop the harassment of the traders by the enforcement personnel.

Selangor is delaying in imposing a lockdown because it knows very well that it will have to help the people and it is unprepared for it, and it is placing the burden on the federal government.

The federal government has already been helping through the BSH, Prihatin and other schemes. Selangor should do more for its people who have contributed much to its premier position in the country.

One can observe so much wasteful and extravagant expenditure by the local authorities who are only too keen to use the allocations for projects without checking whether it is feasible or necessary and beneficial to the ratepayers.

Due to this, one sees colourful concrete pavers on road shoulders where hardly anyone walks, installation of solar light under large trees, planting trees and saplings on road dividers where even grass does not grow.

Selangor gives its civil servants two month’s bonus when even the federal government is only able to provide a month’s bonus. Further, the number of the B40 who were entitled to the Peduli Sihat medical insurance has drastically reduced. The Mesra Usia Emas scheme too has been replaced with a reduced value substitute.

A lot of expenditure for various projects is paid for by the federal government and this is the reason why the cash reserves have been piling up for Selangor.

The state government should use the money for the people if there is a lockdown. It is better to have a lockdown for a short period instead of a prolonged movement control order (MCO), enhanced MCO and other restrictions without any end in sight.

Selangor’s high infectivity rate is the main reason for the overcrowded hospitals burdening frontliners in the Klang Valley. One can observe that when infection rates are high, the number of deceased persons too goes up correspondingly as those in the intensive care units (ICU), especially morbid senior citizens, do not get optimal medical care and become collateral fatalities. 

When infection rates were low, the death rates of those in the ICU were very much lower as they received better medical care and had a higher chance of recovery.

Lately, analysts have stated that the infection rates and number of deaths are even above, on a per capita basis, than worst affected nations such as India and Brazil.

It is time that the government introduces statewide lockdowns instead of a nationwide lockdown. States with small infection rates are still below danger and manageable unlike states that have more than a thousand cases.

Selangor’s high infection rate has caused havoc to the healthcare system catering to the Covid-19 pandemic. Selangor needs to cooperate rather than contradict the federal government.

Lives come first before livelihood. – May 25, 2021.

* V. Thomas reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.