By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Aug 28: The federal government has decided that the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) will be extended until the end of the year (Dec 31), revealed Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He said the government has decided to extend the RMCO as there are some new clusters of Covid-19 in certain localities throughout the country and also taking into account that the virus is still active worldwide.
“So, in the interest of the people, the government has decided to extend the RMCO until December 31, 2020,” Muhyiddin said over live telecast aired by both RTM1 and Astro Awani at 8pm.
Additionally, during the RMCO period, the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 or Act 342 will still be enforced.
“This is to ensure that all parties will comply with the Standard Operating Procedures and health protocols standards,” he said.
He also warned that the government is mulling to increasing the present fine of RM1,000 under the present RMCO to at least two-threefold, against those who break the law.
“No one shall be exempted from the law and any individuals who violate it shall be subjected to appropriate punishment.
“In this regard, I also support the Malaysian Ministry of Health’s proposal to increase the fine for related offenses by at least two or three times the current rate. However, this matter needs to be refined and Act 342 needs to be amended first,” he reiterated.
The RMCO was implemented on June 10, after the government ended the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) which was implemented end of May. Prior to that, Malaysia imposed the partial lockdown – MCO on March 18, following the spike of Covid-19 cases in the country.
On face masks, Muhyiddin assured that the government will find ways to reduce the cost of facemasks in the fight against the dreaded disease.
“As face masks are a necessity that we use almost all the time, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs is in talks with manufacturers and suppliers to reduce the price of face masks. If this negotiation is successful, the price of face mask will be more reasonable and this will ease the burden of the people,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said in line with the extension of the RMCO period, the Covid-19 Fund managed by NADMA will also be extended until 31 December 2020.
“Accordingly, parties wishing to contribute to this fund can do so. Donations to this fund will be used to help victims of Covid-19 and provide the needs to curb this epidemic.
“With the spirit of the 63rd National Day celebration themed “Malaysia Prihatin” (Malaysia Cares), I call on everyone to always be concerned about our responsibility to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are all front-liners who are at the forefront to fight and prevent this epidemic. I believed that if we can all play our part in preventing the spread of Covid-19 pandemic,” he added.—DayakDaily
