The SME Association of Malaysia said a total lockdown this time around might cause 40% of SMEs to shut down and many multinational corporations to relocate their manufacturing operations to other countries.

“It was anticipated that two million people would lose their jobs and livelihoods if the lockdown was imposed,” its national president, Michael Kang, said in a statement today.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said imposing a full lockdown would cost the government half a trillion ringgit, which Malaysia cannot afford right now.

Applauding Muhyiddin for his courageous decision, the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Micci) said the prime minister recognises that economic activities provide the government with the revenue needed to protect lives by ensuring continuous medical facilities, vaccines, financial assistance and jobs for the people.

It also said case studies have shown that a full-blown lockdown is not the solution as it affects the people’s livelihood and merely confines the virus to continue to incubate in the locked-in workers at their dormitories.

In fact, it said, the workplace is the safest place as businesses could control SOPs and no business would undertake any non-SOP activity that will jeopardise its operations.

Separately, a coalition of more than 110 business groups said it is imperative that Malaysia avoid a knee-jerk reaction based on fear as the number of new Covid-19 cases hit a record high of 7,289 yesterday.

Industries Unite said: “The government has the requisite data, and we support any move to balance life, livelihood and national interests.

“We support a decision that prioritises the welfare of the public at large, based on science and accurate data.”

It urged the government to accelerate the vaccination process and do what is necessary to reduce the impact of the MCO on the people and businesses.