Govt studying need to extend CMCO until year-end, says minister

The government will study the need to extend the conditional movement control order (CMCO) until the end of the year if Covid-19 cases continue to increase, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Redzuan Yusof.

He also said preventive measures should be taken to reduce the number of cases to a minimum level, or to reach the stage of zero new cases.

“The government is aware of the hardships faced by the people during this economic downturn due to Covid-19.

“That’s why the SOPs are constantly updated and improved according to the needs of the people.

“It is for the survival of the people… by allowing social and economic activities (to resume) and, at the same time, we can fight the Covid-19 virus,” he said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2021 in the Dewan Rakyat today.

As such, Redzuan said, there should be no issue of giving some flexibility to traders in Sabah as all economic sectors are allowed to operate during the CMCO period.

On the proposal to reduce the number of ministers and deputy ministers as part of austerity measures, he said there was no need for this as the number of ministers under the Perikatan Nasional government is not much different from the previous government.

“The government has also decided that all members of the administration, including the prime minister, senior ministers, ministers and deputy ministers, will contribute not 10% but two months of their salaries to the Covid-19 Fund to help those affected by the pandemic.

“The government also welcomes all parties, including MPs, to come forward and contribute in whatever capacity they have to ease the burden of the people in facing Covid-19 as well as aid efforts to revive the country’s economy,” he said.