MMA president Dr N Ganabaskaran said the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) could do more with its broad powers, including roping in the security forces, to help the health ministry, which had limited powers.

Other ministries did not seem to know their roles in managing the health crisis and certain ministries continued to hold large gatherings despite a directive by the prime minister against doing so.

He said Nadma should assist the health ministry to screen the 14,500 Malaysian participants in a mass mosque gathering which has been linked to numerous cases now, “even if it is to mobilise the army”.

“The ministry of human resources should also give the directive to employers to allow employees in certain sectors to work from home.

“Employees having upper respiratory infections should be given 3-4 days medical certificates with strict orders to rest at home.

“The education ministry should also order schools and universities to shut down or allow webinars for lecturers,” he said in a statement today.

He called on the communications ministry to take the lead in giving updates on current developments and also urged the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry to ensure the supply of protective equipment for Malaysians, highlighting that there has been a shortage for healthcare workers.

“Many other countries have ordered their local manufacturers to support the local market first, while we were informed a decision was made but not implemented.”

He urged the health ministry to decentralise its powers and authorise local health authorities to work with general practitioners.

“The Covid-19 containment is a collective responsibility of all the ministries and ministers, not just the ministry of health.

“We urge all the newly-appointed ministers to show some level of urgency and seriousness in handling this national issue,” he said.