SPECULATION is mounting that Malaysia will call for a full lockdown like the first movement control order (MCO) last year as new Covid-19 infections moved past the 8,000-mark and active cases reached 72,000.

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob hinted that more drastic measures are needed to reduce the number of new infections.

“I acknowledge the high number of new cases today. The next step is not the easiest, but it is the safest and best step for us.

“As such, I have suggested this to higher authorities. Let’s pray that there will be hope for everyone,” said the Umno minister and National Security Council spokesman in a tweet this evening

Ismail Sabri’s tweet followed a call for a full lockdown by states by Johor monarch Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who urged the federal government to implement a stricter movement controls by zones.

He said this tough but selective approach would enable a flattening of the curve without completely stopping all economic activities.

“A full, targeted lockdown can be imposed on neighbouring states to stem the number of Covid-19 cases without completely stopping all of the country’s economic activities.

“Full lockdowns can be targeted according to zones. For example, the southern zone covering Johor, Malacca and Negri Sembilan for two weeks, followed by other zones on the east coast (Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan).

“States not under lockdown can continue their economic activities under movement control order (MCO) restrictions,” the Johor ruler said in a statement.

Malaysia recorded 8,290 new infections today, taking the total of active cases to 72,823. It also recorded 61 new deaths, taking the death toll to 2,552.

According to the Ministry of Health, only two new infections were imported while the remainder came from local transmissions. 

The nationwide MCO 3.0 began on May 12 and is until June 7. However, it is less strict than the first MCO from March to May last year when the pandemic began.

Various authority figures have warned that daily infections could reach 10,000 following lax observance of standard operating procedures during Hari Raya two weeks ago.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has advocated a full lockdown, although the National Security Council, which sets movement restriction rules, has said the government needs to strike a balance between lives and livelihoods. – May 28, 2021.