Tough 'necessary step' being mulled to deal with critical Covid-19 situation, says Ismail Sabri

PETALING JAYA: A "necessary step" is being discussed following the rapidly-increasing number of daily Covid-19 cases which breached the 8,000 mark on Friday (May 28).

Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said with 8,290 positive cases, Malaysia was in a critical situation.

"The necessary step that needs to be taken in a situation like this is not the easiest, but is best for our safety," he said on Facebook on Friday, but stopped short of revealing what this step was.

Ismail Sabri noted that he had brought forward the suggestion to higher levels of government.

The government had imposed stricter standard operating procedures (SOP) which came into effect on Tuesday (May 25) amid MCO 3.0, following a spike in daily cases.

Ismail Sabri said the approach was taken after considering the hardship faced by the people, especially those from lower-income groups as well as to save jobs.

There have been mixed reactions from the ground, including calls for a full lockdown like the initial MCO last year to flatten the curve of infection.