PETALING JAYA: MEF supports implementation of stricter Movement Control Order (MCO) to flatten the curve of new infections particularly in Selangor which recently recorded more than 1,000 new cases per day.
However, MEF President Dato’ Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman J.P. also urged the authorities not to implement full lock down of the economy as such intervention would further stifle economic recovery.
“We are very concerned by the increasing rate of daily infections in Malaysia which exceeded 4,400 new cases on Sunday with Selangor leading the tally with 1,650 new cases,” said Dato’ Dr Syed Hussain.
“While the impact of a blanket MCO would be devastating to business and the economy, it is understood that there is a dire need to curb the rising number of new daily Covid-19 infections.
“Any decisions towards this end must also take into consideration the interest of business and preservation of livelihoods.
He said the current nationwide MCO is estimated to cost about RM300 million per day whereas during the MCO 1.0 total lockdown, Malaysia lost about RM 2.4 billion per day.
“As responsible employers and citizens, we are doing our utmost to comply with the prescribed SOPs to curb the spread of Covid-19,” said Dato’ Dr Syed Hussain.
“Employers need to play a positive role to ensure that the health and safety of employees are safeguarded.
“MEF continually advises our members to take all the necessary precautions so that we would be able to see the end of this pandemic.”
For further information, contact the MEF Secretariat at 03-7955-7778 or fax 03-7955-9008 or email
mef-hq@mef.org.my.