Peoples queing in getting their groceries shop at a mall before the EMCO start tomorrow. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star (21stMay 2021)
IPOH: The sudden announcement of the enhanced movement control order here has caused public confusion and panic, claims MCA ethnic relations and religious affairs bureau chief Cally Ting.
She said there should be better coordination within the government when handling a public health crisis.
"We know and agree that the EMCO is the best option to reduce further infection following the spike in Covid-19 cases, but it should not be announced at 5.30pm and standard operating procedures only released at 8.30pm.
"The sudden announcement has been criticised for its timing and unclear guidelines, which caused panic buying of groceries at supermarkets here," she said in a statement on Friday (May 21).
"It is important for the government to develop a Covid-19 outbreak contingency plan, especially the SOP. "No announcement of MCO or EMCO should be made unless the SOPs are clear and ready," said Ting, who is also Gopeng MCA division vice chairman.
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had on Thursday (May 20) announced that four districts in Perak would be under EMCO.
These are Pengkalan Hulu; Larut, Matang dan Selama (Mukim Taiping); Kinta (Mukim Hulu Kinta, covering Ipoh, Lahat, Chemor and Tanjung Rambutan) and Muallim (Mukim Hulu Bernam Timur).
