Coronavirus: as Malaysia eases lockdown, some states insist restrictions will remain
- The reaction by states including Pahang and Kelantan, whose governments are aligned with the ruling Perikatan Nasional coalition, has raised questions about internal dissent
- Meanwhile, the federal government says migrant workers will have to be tested for the Covid-19 disease, and that employers will foot the bill
However, the federal government pressed ahead by changing regulations to the movement control order (MCO) that was first implemented on March 18.
Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the previous rules were “null and void” and new regulations would apply across states and districts. Azmin Ali, the Senior Minister for Economy, urged state governments to comply, and warned of the risk of legal action from industry players.
The reaction by states including Pahang and Kelantan, whose governments are aligned with the national ruling Perikatan Nasional coalition, raised questions about internal dissent. Ismail Sabri did not mention if there would be any repercussions for states that chose to do as they pleased. In his televised address, the minister also said it was compulsory for all migrant workers to undergo virus testing and that employers would pay for them.
Besides the six states that said they would not comply, another three states said they would not fully ease curbs and would maintain safe-distancing measures, such as restricting dine-in numbers at restaurants. More than half a million Malaysians also protested by signing online petitions calling for a more gradual easing.