KUALA LUMPUR: The Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) which was earlier slated to end on Monday has been extended to Dec 31.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said based on the latest development, more time would be needed to clear Malaysia of the pandemic.
"Everything is still under control but if there is an increase in infections in particular localities, the government will carry out the implementation of targeted measures such as the Enhanced Movement Control Orders (EMCO) or Targeted Enhanced Movement Control Order (TEMCO)," he said in a televised speech tonight.
He was referring to the recent clusters including the viral Sivagangga cluster in Napoh which saw the implementation of TEMCO.
Muhyiddin said throughout the RMCO's extension, enforcement would continue under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).
He also endorsed Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hashim Abdullah's proposal to increase the compound rate for those who violated the RMCO's standard operating procedures (SOP).
"Our country is still facing challenges in curbing the transmission of Covid-19, as it is still actively spreading around the globe. The virus is not only active, in fact, but it is also transmitting rapidly from one to another.
"I realise we cannot risk taking this highly infectious virus lightly in the country. Hence, stricter quarantine rules in certain locations will continue to be enforced."
"Nobody is exempted from these rules and those found guilty of breaching the rules will be given fair punishment.
"Correspondingly, I fully support the recommendation by the Health Ministry to increase the amount of compound to at least double or triple the current amount for those found guilty of breaching the SOP.
"However, we will need to look into the matter and amend Act 342 first and foremost."
The government imposed the Movement Control Order (MCO) on March 18 after it reported a spike of 125 new Covid-19 infections, making Malaysia the worst hit in Southeast Asia at the time.
The stringent phase of the MCO then transitioned into a conditional phase on May 1 until June 9 before the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) kicked off on June 10.
Under the RMCO, business and education sectors are allowed to reopen in stages albeit under specific SOP to break the chain of infection.