Building tolerance level for risks

I REFER to the article “Beating Covid-19 in 2021: Managing time, risk and ambition” (Sunday Star, Jan 3).

Among the strategies highlighted by the writer is to stabilise our tolerance levels for risk, whereby the onus is placed on people to stabilise their tolerance of risk versus the draconian methods of a full lockdown by the government.

However, we Malaysians are known to flout rules. Some politicians have even got away with not following the standard operating procedures to prevent Covid-19 infection. Corruption is rampant. People can get away with almost anything if they can buy their way out of it.

Think of our country as a young and immature child. How can you expect young children to obey laws or understand the repercussions of breaking them?

Singapore and China used draconian methods to instil a culture of obedience among their people. Malaysia is nowhere near attaining that culture of obedience. Without strict enforcement by the authorities, we tend to flout the law.

Taking things lightly or the “tidak apa (never mind)” attitude is part of our culture.

Now, our politicians are perhaps too worried about losing their power and positions to displease certain people with money to enforce strict lockdowns to control the spread of Covid-19. They cite the reason of “protecting the economy”.

But our economy can never recover if certain sectors remain shut or partially closed, which is happening now. Some are open while others are open partially but are not able or allowed to operate at full capacity.

Some are not allowed to open at all (tourism and entertainment sectors).

Yes, they are protecting the economy. But whose economy are they protecting?

JEANISHA WAN

SME owner

Petaling Jaya