A struggle for normalcy

It has been a while since my last column. I have been preoccupied with my work after the transition from the movement control order (MCO) to the conditional MCO. There was so much left-over from before the MCO that had to be completed when the conditional MCO was implemented.

Like most Malaysians, the MCO hit me hard as well. But, I also realised early on that not having the MCO was too scary even to contemplate.

As the number of Covid-19 cases increased each day, like most Malaysians, I would faithfully tune in to the daily press briefing by the director-general of Health, Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

His sobering and dispassionate delivery of difficult news, coupled with his nuggets of wisdom and medical advice offered comfort and solace in a very challenging time.

The Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s, continued engagement with Malaysians via his colloquial addresses to the nation and the economic rescue and recovery packages assuaged our fears of total economic collapse.

The economic initiatives introduced for individuals, businesses and companies ensured that the worst effects of the economic slowdown were ameliorated, and all will not be lost.

Of course, some naysayers and critics took the opportunity to make a bad situation worse, but I think most Malaysians were pleased with the response from the government.

It was not easy for the new Perikatan Nasional leadership as well because they assumed the reins of power at a critical juncture. Also, the peripeteia that followed due to the onset of Covid-19 complicated everything.

However, the earnest admission from Muhyiddin that his government may not be the government some Malaysians voted for yet he will strive to do his best to ensure we emerge from this crisis stronger, was as good it gets in Malaysian vis-à-vis political honesty.

However, the constant jostling of power between Perikatan and Pakatan Plus has been an unnecessary distraction.

I believe that politics must take a back seat as we plot our national recovery.

There will be ample time for our politicians to jostle for power. Still, the voracious appetite of our politicians for politicking will surely complicate efforts to engender any political stability.

Also, elections during this period of Covid-19 is not the best idea, then again, if it happens, we have to be ready for it.

Our institutions must be ready to respond to extreme pressure and perform under severe stress. I believe this is what Covid-19 has taught us. Also, we cannot suspend our political process because we must be ready to adapt always.

So, we have to prepare for an ‘evolving new normal’ because what is normal today may not be normal tomorrow.

That being said, despite the significant reduction in Covid-19 infections, we are not out of the woods. Globally, many countries, especially India, Iran, the United States and the United Kingdom are still struggling to get their number of infections under control.

As an impossible balancing act constrains governments around the world, how does one keep one’s people safe but at the same time, ensure the economy does not collapse?

It is a challenge that policymakers have to grapple with, and no one has an answer.

The suggestion by Pemandu chief executive officer Datuk Seri Idris Jala of an “intermittent MCO” regime – meaning the restrictions on movement can be loosened or removed when the number of Covid-19 cases is low and then imposed once again if there is a spike in infections, looks like the way forward.

This approach ensures that the economy moves but lives too will be protected – as I said earlier, it is a delicate balancing act and the least imperfect solution.

Personally, as a lawyer in a medium-sized practice, it was not easy to adapt to the challenges presented by the MCO. Still, it was something we had to do. My firm undertook some measures on its own to ensure it did not need to downsize. All of us in the employ of the firm understood the challenges, and we worked together to overcome them.

At the same time, I came to appreciate technology even more than I already had. I have to admit that the legal sector remains one of the most resistant in embracing technology. However, overnight, we had to do court hearings via Skype and case managements via email – something that is unprecedented for the legal sector.

Also, many lawyers have stepped up on their own accord to help the profession move forward. Despite the Bar Council’s survey finding that many law firms are considering either closing, merging or downsizing (close to 60%), I think the conditional and recovery MCO will allow us more time to recover.

A friend and colleague of mine, a senior lawyer himself, Mr Cheow Wee spent a copious amount of time to draft a standard operating procedure for law firms tackling the complex to the mundane thus ensuring law firms do not need to spend money on getting consultants to teach us to operate in the new normal.

This act is an excellent example of our recovery motto of "Kita Jaga Kita" where ordinary Malaysians have stepped up to the plate to help one another.

This struggle for normalcy will continue, but as going gets tough, the tough get going.

Covid-19 may have brought out the worst in some, but it has also brought out the very best in some of us.