He also called for the immediate reinstatement of a moratorium on bank loans, and for the provision of wage subsidies and assistance for businesses.
Anwar was among a number of MPs who criticised the government for its “last-minute” announcement of travel restrictions and a ban on social activities beginning on Wednesday, and who also called for relief aid for the people and for businesses.
“If you want millions of people to sit at home without incomes, announce some aid to ease their burdens,” said former prime minister and Pekan MP Najib Razak.
Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said he was surprised there was no aid announcement as the government would have planned the MCO for some time. “Cash aid must be given immediately,” he said.
He said he was shocked by the “last-minute” MCO announcement. The government should have given businesses, employers, workers and the people more time to prepare, he said.
Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii said the Perikatan Nasional government has not learnt from the first MCO about the need to strengthen the existing public health system and he criticised its “ambiguous” communications methods.
Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh said “tomorrow, the PN government should announce an automatic loan moratorium for all.” She criticised the government for not having prepared detailed SOP guidelines or protocols for the people to follow.
Others who criticised the government over the announcement were Subang MP Wong Chen, Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching, Ipoh Timur MP M Kula Segaran, Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil, Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng, and Kulim-Bandar Bahru MP Saifuddin Nasution.
Anwar called for strong leadership and accused the government of having allowed the Covid-19 crisis to manifest, “after months of slumber”.
He said speculation, confusion and unnecessary panic had prevailed since Friday in anticipation of the prime minister’s announcement today, and employers and businesses had been left without sufficient time and clarity to prepare for the MCO.
He urged the government to be unbiased in the strict enforcement of the SOPs, regardless of rank, position or political affiliation. “The Sabah elections have shown us that the virus does not exempt or discriminate against anyone regardless of circumstances and affiliations,” he said.
He called for more effective measures to curb the pandemic, such as mass testing with pooled testing, which he said was proven in other countries to be more effective than lockdown measures alone, and for better contact tracing than the MySejahtera application.
“I also urge the government to be transparent with the data and help all parties to understand where the true hotspots are, specifically when it involves clusters of foreign workers,” he said.
MPs complain about last-minute announcement
Wong Chen said he had expected the government to release details of SOPs within hours of the prime minister’s announcement. Businesses would now have very little time to prepare.
Teo Nie Ching said: “The MCO will come into effect at midnight on Jan 13. Why wait until 5pm on Jan 12 to announce the relevant SOPs?”
Fahmi Fadzil said the international trade ministry and the education ministry “should make their announcements this very night, they shouldn’t wait”. (The education ministry announced details of school reopening this evening.)
Lim Guan Eng said Muhyiddin should have announced a RM45 billion stimulus economic package. He also criticised the delay over SOPs and lack of comprehensive testing, tracing and treatment.
Kula Segaran said: “Where is the announcement of automatic moratorium? Businesses will lose money, but loans have to be paid.”