PAGOH: Malaysians are urged to continue embracing the new normal in their daily lives, even though the drastic measures introduced by the government have managed to control and prevent the Covid-19 outbreak from escalating in Malaysia.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said as such, it is imperative that the people work closely with the government, especially medical frontliners and enforcement personnel, in an effort to break the transmission chain of the coronavirus.
The people, he said, need to consider themselves frontliners by complying with the existing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and committing to high self-regulation to prevent any new coronavirus clusters from emerging.
"As responsible citizens, I call on all of you to continue practicing the new normal and adhering to the guidelines issued by the Health Ministry.
"I would like to also call on community leaders, religious leaders, non-governmental organisation (NGO) leaders, mosque and surau committee members, members of the church and other houses of worship, to play their role during this period.
"Together, let us constantly remind residents within our respective residential areas and neighbourhoods to comply with the SOPs.
"With the cooperation, coupled with the role played by community leaders, I am sure we will continue to remain strong in our effort to break the transmission chain of Covid-19," he said in his speech at the launch of the Embracing New Norms Campaign at the Pagoh Sports Complex here, today.
Themed "Bersama Hentikan Wabak Covid-19" (Together, Let's Stop the Covid-19 Outbreak), the campaign aims to increase awareness of the need to continue embracing the new normal, despite the outbreak having been brought under control in Malaysia.
Among those present were Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad.
Also present were Chief Secretary to the government Datuk Seri Mohd Zuki and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador
In his speech, the Prime Minister also highlighted the severe impact to the economy – which in turn would affect the wellbeing of the people – if the government was forced to revert to the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO).
"I am sure all of you do not want the government to revert to implementing the MCO, which would undermine on-going efforts to revive our economy.
"If the government returns to implementing the MCO, the impact would be severe to our economy and the people.
"Hence, we must avoid such a situation from happening by continuing to comply with the SOPs that are already in place," said Muhyiddin.
He added that the government had set aside RM259 billion to provide assistance to those who were adversely affected by the pandemic.
Muhyiddin said the failure by a small number of individuals to comply with SOPs had contributed to an increase in daily infections and the emergence of new Covid-19 clusters recently detected in the country.
He also cited the action of a small group of individuals who failed to adhere to the House Surveillance Order (HSO), under which they are to observe a 14-day quarantine at home after returning from abroad.
"Their action of violating this order has not only placed the lives of their family members and relatives in danger, but also put the lives of the community within their area at risk.
"Recently, the country detected the Sivagangga cluster. There is no village in Kedah with that name. The cluster is linked to those who had returned from a village in India. Although they had their pink wristband on, they infected others when they visited a nasi kandar eatery (in Kedah).
"Hence, the people must continue to comply with the SOP and embrace the new normal. Without your cooperation, it is impossible for us to break the transmission chain of the virus," he said.
Muhyiddin later unveiled the logo and theme for the campai
gn, which involves all ministries until the end of the year.
At the same ceremony, Muhyiddin also launched the "Embracing New Norms in the Community" pamphlet published by the Health Ministry.