AS more Malaysians come to grips with new provisions of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), otherwise known as MCO5 or MCO Phase 5, there's still some confusion over this or that SOP (Standard Operating Procedure). And why so?
Some state governments maintain they want to stick with the old MCO4 provisions, while some medical experts insist that it's too early to relax things as the deadly coronavirus is still lurking around to strike.
And now state governments are told that they'd have to abide by MCO5, which has been gazetted as there's no more MCO4.
Then comes a warning that their reluctance to fully comply might expose them to suits from industry players since the federal government's policy has been made into law and is enforceable throughout the country.
Therefore, CMCO is in accordance with the provisions of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) to ensure the effective control of the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Day One of MCO5 on Monday was almost like the "old normal" as traffic jams abound and reckless delivery boys on two-wheelers were again up to their old tricks in flouting traffic rules.
Many cars were seen with the maximum limit of four people as opposed to one initially, and eventually two. Many also thronged shopping malls and threw caution to the winds as they didn't observe social distancing or wear protective face masks.
Even pawnshops had a field day, a sad reflection of how many had been hard hit by the partial lockdown with little or almost zero income.
In rural areas, many people are also struggling to make ends meet. One trader lamented that while salaried city folk have no worries and can rely on online food deliveries, the situation is rather bleak for small-time traders or part-time labourers in the kampung.
And it's not a piece of cake for rural cake-makers either during Ramadan as broadband connectivity and coverage are still poor and the awareness of using apps to monetise their endeavours is relatively low.
A noted virologist was also against the reopening of almost all economic sectors because he feared that the number of Covid-19 cases was still high.
He suggested the need for a better control plan than CMCO, while more than 300,000 people also called for a review. But, he too didn't offer any good alternative except calling for a CMCO delay!
As we're deadlocked on how to jumpstart the economy or flatten the curve, it'd be useful to reflect what Gerald R. Ford, the 38th United States president (American presidents were taken seriously until very recently), had to say on dubiety: "History and experience tell us that moral progress comes not in comfortable and complacent times, but out of trial and confusion."
There you go, we still have to fine-tune many issues before the "new normal" settles in. Whatever the procedures, there must be greater uniformity as tales of different strokes for different folk were aplenty in the treatment of some MCO offenders.
As a KL-lite with plenty of time on my hands, I constantly observe how things tick in the Klang Valley or Greater Kuala Lumpur. I often view Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Puchong or Cheras as one huge conurbation.
For instance, it shouldn't be a problem for someone in Section 17, Petaling Jaya, to just nip over 3km to Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), which is actually in Kuala Lumpur, to get essentials or vice versa.
But, during the early stages of the MCO, I've heard that people were being turned back because it was ridiculously deemed as interstate travel!
Now we're told that the 10km radius travel ruling doesn't apply anymore, but we still can't undertake interstate travel unless we obtain permits.
So, will it mean that one is allowed to travel from Bera to Genting Highlands, both within Pahang, but 147km apart, but going a few kilometres down to Gombak is still a no-go because it's Selangor?
Until I get some clarity, I'll remain vigilant while I feast on a delicious sop instead, the vitamin-rich soursop or durian belanda.
The writer is a former chief executive officer and editor-in-chief of Bernama
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times