KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian social media users on Wednesday (Mar 25) encouraged each other to stay united and obey the rules, after Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the movement control order (MCO) will be extended until Apr 14 to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Immediately after the announcement, “14th of April” became the number one trending topic on Twitter, with users weighing in on the extension.
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“Even though I want to be outside at the beach … But I will obey the #PerintahKawalanPergerakan (MCO) because I want to make Malaysia healthy again,” wrote Twitter user @WonderIrra.
Another Twitter user @SerenitySakinah wrote: “Looks like we will be staying home longer until Apr 14. Keep following orders. Dont lose hope please, everyone. We can do this! Stay united and keep encouraging each other to keep a positive mindset. Malaysia boleh! Please cooperate with the authorities”.
READ: Missing the little things – What life is like under Malaysias movement control order
READ: At your doorstep – More Malaysian food businesses offer delivery amid movement control order
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Similarly, @Clarissa_Swiftie wrote: “The quarantine is extended to Apr 14. So if you dont stay at home, it is going to be worse for everybody. Listen to instructions, its not that hard!”
User @cpikoneal tweeted an illustration by artist and lecturer Haris Abadi Abdul Rahim, which depicted healthcare workers in place of soldiers at the National Monument, a sculpture located in Kuala Lumpur that commemorates those who sacrificed their lives for Malaysias freedom.
His caption read: “To all Malaysians, please look at this picture. Please dont be stubborn. Please stay at home, dont be selfish”.
Earlier in the day, the prime minister announced that the MCO which was to be enforced from Mar 18 to Mar 31, has now been extended another two weeks to Apr 14.
Mr Muhyiddin noted that this was a necessary step as the Ministry of Health anticipated an increase in the number of cases in the days to come.
The government felt this was the best way to contain the spread of the virus, he added.
CONCERNS OVER LIVELIHOOD
With the MCO being extended, many businesses will need to stay shut for an even longer period. Only essential services are allowed to operate with minimal staff.
Although the Human Resources Ministry said that all employers would have to continue paying the salaries of their employees, many expressed concerns about their livelihoods.
Twitter user @_rin93 wrote: “I dont know, but I am really sad about the extension until Apr 14. How about my salary? Even the salary for this month, I cant even think whether I will get full or half”.
“Extended again until 14 April. How are the families without savings that depend on monthly income going to survive?” wrote Twitter user @CallmeSam66.
READ: COVID-19 fight at risk as Malaysia's medical glove makers struggle with lockdown
In an attempt to lighten the economic burden for people, the government also announced that people could withdraw RM500 (US$114) from their Employee Provident Fund (EPF) accounts every month for a period of one year.
Additionally, the government announced a six-month moratorium on loan repayments and the restructuring of outstanding credit card balances involving about RM100 billion starting Apr 1.
Professor Yeah Kim Leng, who is a member of Central Bank of Malaysias Monetary Policy Committee, told CNA that the government can increase its spending to reduce the economic impact.
“The government must increase relief loan options for big businesses, failing which it may lead to bankruptcies. Also, individual businesses and smallholders should be given direct funding,” he said.
The government is expected to announce a comprehensive economic stimulus package on Mar 30.
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channel news asia
channel news asia
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian social media users on Wednesday (Mar 25) encouraged each other to stay united and obey the rules, after Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the movement control order (MCO) will be extended until Apr 14 to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Immediately after the announcement, “14th of April” became the number one trending topic on Twitter, with users weighing in on the extension.
Advertisement
Advertisement
“Even though I want to be outside at the beach … But I will obey the #PerintahKawalanPergerakan (MCO) because I want to make Malaysia healthy again,” wrote Twitter user @WonderIrra.
Another Twitter user @SerenitySakinah wrote: “Looks like we will be staying home longer until Apr 14. Keep following orders. Dont lose hope please, everyone. We can do this! Stay united and keep encouraging each other to keep a positive mindset. Malaysia boleh! Please cooperate with the authorities”.
READ: Missing the little things – What life is like under Malaysias movement control order
READ: At your doorstep – More Malaysian food businesses offer delivery amid movement control order
Advertisement
Advertisement
Similarly, @Clarissa_Swiftie wrote: “The quarantine is extended to Apr 14. So if you dont stay at home, it is going to be worse for everybody. Listen to instructions, its not that hard!”
User @cpikoneal tweeted an illustration by artist and lecturer Haris Abadi Abdul Rahim, which depicted healthcare workers in place of soldiers at the National Monument, a sculpture located in Kuala Lumpur that commemorates those who sacrificed their lives for Malaysias freedom.
His caption read: “To all Malaysians, please look at this picture. Please dont be stubborn. Please stay at home, dont be selfish”.
Earlier in the day, the prime minister announced that the MCO which was to be enforced from Mar 18 to Mar 31, has now been extended another two weeks to Apr 14.
Mr Muhyiddin noted that this was a necessary step as the Ministry of Health anticipated an increase in the number of cases in the days to come.
The government felt this was the best way to contain the spread of the virus, he added.
CONCERNS OVER LIVELIHOOD
With the MCO being extended, many businesses will need to stay shut for an even longer period. Only essential services are allowed to operate with minimal staff.
Although the Human Resources Ministry said that all employers would have to continue paying the salaries of their employees, many expressed concerns about their livelihoods.
Twitter user @_rin93 wrote: “I dont know, but I am really sad about the extension until Apr 14. How about my salary? Even the salary for this month, I cant even think whether I will get full or half”.
“Extended again until 14 April. How are the families without savings that depend on monthly income going to survive?” wrote Twitter user @CallmeSam66.
READ: COVID-19 fight at risk as Malaysia's medical glove makers struggle with lockdown
In an attempt to lighten the economic burden for people, the government also announced that people could withdraw RM500 (US$114) from their Employee Provident Fund (EPF) accounts every month for a period of one year.
Additionally, the government announced a six-month moratorium on loan repayments and the restructuring of outstanding credit card balances involving about RM100 billion starting Apr 1.
Professor Yeah Kim Leng, who is a member of Central Bank of Malaysias Monetary Policy Committee, told CNA that the government can increase its spending to reduce the economic impact.
“The government must increase relief loan options for big businesses, failing which it may lead to bankruptcies. Also, individual businesses and smallholders should be given direct funding,” he said.
The government is expected to announce a comprehensive economic stimulus package on Mar 30.
