NSC holds special meet today

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Security Council (NSC) will be holding a special meeting today to discuss the possibility of extending the movement control order.

Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the meeting would be chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“We will hear the report from the Health Ministry before any decision is made, ” he told reporters after visiting roadblocks at Sentul and Gombak yesterday.

When asked if more sectors should be closed due to the high number of daily Covid-19 cases, especially within the last three days, he said there must be a balance.

“We don’t want our rakyat to die from Covid-19 but at the same time, we also don’t want them to die of starvation.

On the ground: Ismail Sabri (in white) joining enforcement officers at a roadblock near Gombak toll plaza in Selangor. — AZMAN GHANI/The Star

“I went to a roadside stall to buy food recently and the operator told me that their income had decreased by as much as 50% because they can only offer take-away, ” he said.

“Some of them completely depleted their savings during the last MCO which lasted three months. Can you imagine how they will survive if we implement the same MCO now?”

He said some small and micro business operators relied on a daily income to survive and put food on the table.

Meanwhile, in preparation for Chinese New Year, Ismail Sabri said the NSC, Health Ministry and National Unity Ministry would come out with a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the festive season.

“The technical committee has asked them to come out with the SOP and they are currently drawing it up and will present it to us soon.

“We do not want to make any decisions now as the status of the MCO could change within two weeks, ” he said, adding that the SOP would be announced one week before Chinese New Year or two to three days before at the least.

He said the government was also looking at amending the Emergency Ordinance to ensure employers prepare proper housing for foreign workers.

“We are aware that a high number of Covid-19 cases came from factories and construction sites.

“In some instances, this is because of non-conducive and tight living conditions that foreign workers are subjected to.

“We do have the Workers Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446) but the procedures will take time to implement, ” he said, adding that this was the reason they were looking at making amendments so that living arrangements could be made within a certain time frame.

Ismail Sabri said he was aware that Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador had called for a stiffer penalty for those violating the MCO.

“We are considering this especially when it comes to businesses.

“It does not make sense that a big business be only issued with a RM1,000 fine if they are found flouting the SOP as the fine does not act as a deterrent.

“He said the rakyat who received such fines could also plead for a lower fine at the nearest health office, or if they wish to take the matter to court, ” he said, adding that the goal however was to ensure compliance.