Business unusual in Putrajaya as MCO kicks in

PUTRAJAYA: While it is not “business as usual” for most civil servants in the federal administrative capital, the Cabinet held its meeting as normal while the country goes through the first of the 14-day movement control order.

Ministers converged at the Cabinet meeting room located on the fourth floor of the Prime Minister’s Office where the weekly meeting started at 9.30am on Wednesday (March 18).

The rest of Putrajaya had near-empty offices following the government’s decision to impose the movement control order (MCO) to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Except for the presence of security guards, ministry buildings cut lonely scenes as staff worked from home.

Roads inside Putrajaya were clear – a rare sight – with only a handful of vehicles, while parking lots – especially at Parcels D and E, which are always full – were practically empty.

In a directive issued by the Public Service Department on Tuesday (March 17), civil servants who have been ordered to work from home must, among others, remain at home during working hours.

They must also be prepared should they be called by department heads to come to the office or at any location.

However, ministries with departments providing essential services – such as immigration counters and health clinics – remain in operation.

Checks by The Star at the Immigration headquarters at Precinct 3 showed that several services remain available to the public.

Counters to accept passport applications were empty but the situation was the opposite at the visa, pass and permit division.

Most of the visitors there were foreign tourists who wanted to check the status of their visa and also to apply for extensions due to the MCO.

Immigration director-general Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud said these counters are open as they are considered essential services.

“Business as usual as Immigration matters are included in the essential services (list). We are open but with a reduced number of counters and only one-third of our manpower, ” he said when contacted.