NOT too long ago, Pemandu gave us the NKRA, GTP, ETP that it said would make the country a developed and high-income nation.

Since the pandemic, we have been fed a national recovery plan, MCOs 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0, RMCO, CMCO and EMCO as preventive measures against the spread of Covid-19.

The government may be trying its best to control the pandemic but I believe most Malaysians do not know and do not care what the measures are called. Instead, they need proper guidance and practical solutions to problems. High-sounding names are irrelevant if people do not understand what they are.

People drafting the plans, guidelines and SOPs have to ensure they are simple, carefully thought out and make sense. People are told to follow SOPs but the SOPs are not fully thought-out, are confusing and ineffective. 

Let us look at a few examples.

People have been told to warm water for protection against infection but is it medically proven to work?. Is it necessary to place barbed wire at the staircases of certain low-cost flats? The shops are closed while the adults and children are all at home having been ordered to study and work remotely. 

One day people are allowed to exercise outdoors, the next day they’re not. Ramadan bazaars and night markets were initially allowed ostensibly for economic reasons but ordered to shut a few days later. People needed police permits to travel to work but were later told that a letter from the employer would suffice.

Congregations were restricted in mosques many times bigger than a supermarket. People spent less than half an hour inside the mosques and they strictly practised social distancing. Now, with infections and deaths climbing, the restrictions are relaxed.

Mixed messages from the various ministries and ministers add to the befuddlement. Rules and SOPs are suddenly introduced without scientific basis

The best part is, the people are blamed for the confusion. they are fined for flouting the rules while politicians and celebrities flagrantly and casually disregard the SOPs.

The point here is, did the bosses peruse the rules before they were issued. Or if they were the work of the bosses, did the subordinates and those enforcing the orders not question the foolishness of the orders?

Or did everyone fall back on the convenient excuse, “Saya yang menurut perintah” – that they were merely following orders – for fear of being charged with insubordination or sidelined for future advancements if they were to object?   

And I am sure experts were not consulted. Do take a leaf from Pemandu and please do not engage foreign experts because we have many capable Malaysians who are willing and able to do the work for less or for nothing at all.

It is heartening to note that the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has issued a statement stating cooperation with health, economic and social experts will be strengthened to ensure an effective response to the pandemic. 

Let us be more professional in finding solutions and engage all the resources available. And for the umpteenth time, please, ministers, work together and stop issuing conflicting statements.

People are watching the government for competency and professionalism in its efforts to curb the pandemic. Let us be more inclusive and transparent.

Who is really calling the shots and willing to be held responsible and accountable for them? Or is the MCO merely about making confusing orders and “perintah mesti di turut”? 

What say you… – July 10, 2021.

* Saleh Mohammed 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.