KUALA LUMPUR: The move to implement the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) needs to be thoroughly planned and cannot be rushed into.
Virologist Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Lam Sai Kit based his caution on the still high number of Covid-19 cases.
The senior fellow at the Malaysian Academy of Sciences and Research Consultant at University of Malaya also stressed on the need for a better control plan to be implemented compared to the CMCO.
"I am aware of the economic impact following the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) which has caused an estimated loss of RM63 billion
"However, we need a better control plan than the CMCO, opening sectors or businesses by focusing on public safety compared to economic recovery," he said in a statement today.
From Monday, the government would implement the CMCO by allowing some sectors to operate again but in a controlled and orderly manner as well as adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs).
However, the government warned that any sector which fails to comply with the SOPs would be ordered to close immediately, enabling the implementation of the Enhanced Movement Control Order (CMCO) in the event of a new Covid-19 infection.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah had also stressed that the first week of implementation beginning tomorrow should be used by employers and workers to strategise, plan and implement new changes at their respective workplaces.
Lam also urged the government to listen to the concerns expressed by the people on the need to review the implementation of the CMCO.
He said until Saturday, a petition organised by Concerned Malaysian Citizens on Change.org had garnered more than 300,000 signatures calling for the CMCO to be reviewed.
"I have also signed this petition as a sign of concern on the safety posed to the rakyat, the risk as well as worries associated with the implementation of the CMCO.
"At the same time, I urge the people to continue with the MCO's practice of social distancing, staying at home, frequently washing hands, working from home and avoid being present in public congregated areas," he said.
The number of Covid-19 infection cases is still not showing any significant decline, with many local infections being reported, comprising 95 cases out of the 105 new cases detected on Saturday.
Malaysia's testing capacity is also not at the same level of other nations, especially in the use of RT-pcr tools as advised by the visiting Chinese Health Specialists.
"We are also not able to reduce the (Covid-19) hot spots and there are many locations under the EMCO.
"When the MCO is relaxed, there is a possibility of an increase in the number of (Covid-19) clusters and new infections.
"Are we able to handle it if there is an increase (in Covid-19 cases). How can we ensure that the public play a role in preventing the spread of this outbreak?" he asked
Lam also backed the move by Sarawak, Kedah and Selangor to delay the implementation of the CMCO.